The Samikhsya Bureau
NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: One of the oldest Khadi institutions in Assam that remained in a vandalized state bearing the scars of Bodo insurgency for over 30 years, has been brought back to life by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
The Khadi work shed at Kawali village in Baksa district of Assam was burnt down by Bodo insurgents in 1989. It was revived recently as a Silk reeling center by KVIC.
Spinning and weaving activities will restart at the work shed with 15 women artisans and five other staff members in the second week of February, KVIC sources said.
The work shed was constructed by a Khadi institution namely Tamulpur Anchalik Gramdan Sangh which shifted to Assam from Arunachal Pradesh following the Chinese aggression in 1962.
It began operations with mustard oil production and by the year 1970, spinning and weaving activities also started there providing livelihood to 50 artisan families.
However, tragedy struck when the institution was burnt down by extremists in 1989 and it remained defunct since then.
KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said that the revival of this Khadi work shed assumed historical significance and that resumption of Khadi activities would create employment for the locals.
“To begin with, KVIC will develop this unit for reeling of elegant Eri Silk of Assam. Other Khadi activities like manufacturing of village industry products will also be started in future. This center will become a major employment creator for the local artisans,” Saxena said.
This Khadi work shed is located at a distance of 90 kilometres from Guwahati.
