Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board is set for a major revamp, with plans to offer modern services to weavers, artisans, and farmers. The Board will soon introduce oil production, honey production, and a Khadi Bank. An estimated budget of Rs 5 crore has been proposed for these initiatives. Through the Khadi Bank, the scarcity of yarn will be addressed, and weavers will be able to procure raw materials directly from the Board. The entire transformation is planned to be completed within the next two years, according to the Board’s Secretary.
Additionally, steps will be taken to free the Board premises from illegal encroachments, and a beautiful garden will be developed there. To promote the use of Khadi, exhibitions will be organized, and a Khadi Fashion Show will be held in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). This initiative is expected to benefit the 27 Khadi societies currently functioning under the Board.
It is worth mentioning that in October 2003, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the Gramodyog Bhavan. However, even after 22 years, the building has not been constructed. On December 22, 2015, INTACH proposed building a Delhi Haat-style exhibition pavilion and a national-level Gandhi Museum on the premises, but that too has not materialized.
Similarly, in December 2021, the Odisha Small Industries Corporation proposed an 11-storey Utkal Khadi Bhavan at the site. According to the design, the building would feature a large replica of a spinning wheel (charkha) at the top and resemble a traditional Gandhi home with a charkha nearby. It was also said that the building would include a multi-level car parking facility. However, none of these plans have come to fruition so far.
There is still no clear information from the authorities regarding when the construction of the Gramodyog Bhavan, based on the original foundation stone, will begin. However, in recent times, the state has shown interest in promoting handlooms, handicrafts, and local foods, including laying the foundation for the ‘Ekta Mall’ near Kala Bhoomi to support these sectors.
