By — DILIP GUHA
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, has organised a distinctive Khadi and Village Industries Exhibition at Delhi Haat, INA Market, New Delhi, showcasing India’s rich diversity of traditional crafts, textiles and indigenous products. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Manoj Goel, Chairman, KVIC, and will remain open to visitors till October 15, 2026.
Featuring a total of 115 stalls, including 48 dedicated to Khadi, the exhibition brings together artisans, Khadi institutions, village industry units and entrepreneurs associated with Gramodyog and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) from different parts of the country. With products representing diverse regional traditions and craftsmanship, the exhibition presents a vibrant picture of India’s cultural and entrepreneurial diversity, aptly resembling a ‘Mini India’ under one roof.
The inaugural function was attended by the CEO of KVIC, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of MSME (ARI), the Financial Advisor of KVIC, other officials, representatives of Khadi institutions and artisans.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Manoj Goel said that KVIC had organised the exhibition to take Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Swadeshi to the masses, particularly the younger generation and Gen Z. He emphasised that Khadi and village industries were not merely a means of selling products but also represented the hard work, dignity and self-reliance of millions of artisans, weavers and rural entrepreneurs across the country.
He said the exhibition at Delhi Haat brought together the vibrant traditions of different regions on a common platform. Promoting locally made products and offering consumers quality indigenous alternatives, he added, were essential for the comprehensive growth of the Khadi and village industries sector. He appealed to Delhi residents and tourists to visit the exhibition, explore the products made by Indian artisans and rural entrepreneurs, and give preference to indigenous products while shopping.
Shri Goel said that Khadi and village industries are not just a medium of selling products, but an inherited saga of hard work, skill and self-reliance of millions of artisans, weavers and rural entrepreneurs. “The Modi government is not only preparing a whole ecosystem of employment by connecting the youth with not just employment, but skills, entrepreneurship, finance and markets. Khadi and Village Industries are becoming a strong medium of new opportunities for rural youth in this direction,” he said.
A showcase of India’s regional craftsmanship
One of the major attractions of the exhibition is the opportunity to explore and purchase distinctive Khadi, textile and village industry products from different geographical regions of India at a single venue.
Participants from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala have brought an impressive range of Khadi and silk products. Karnataka’s silk creations, Tamil Nadu’s traditional weaving and silk products, Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari craft, Telangana’s celebrated Ikat textiles and Kerala’s traditional textile craftsmanship are drawing visitors’ attention.
Eastern India is represented by the fine muslin and handloom traditions of West Bengal, silk and tussar products from Bihar, and Odisha’s traditional weaving and Ikat crafts. The exhibition also features products made from Khadi, bamboo and other natural materials from the Northeast. Assam’s traditional silk products, along with the region’s handicrafts and bamboo crafts, add to the diversity of the display.
North and West India have a strong presence, with participants showcasing Gujarat’s traditional textiles and handicrafts, Rajasthan’s colourful crafts and traditional prints, Himachal Pradesh’s woollen products, Uttar Pradesh’s traditional weaving and handicrafts, and rural products from Haryana. Natural and tribal crafts from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh further enrich the collection.
Entrepreneurs from other states have also brought an extensive range of Khadi textiles, silk products, handicrafts, natural products, processed foods, herbal products and village industry goods that reflect the distinctive cultural and artisanal identities of their respective regions.
Khadi sector records turnover of over ₹1.87 lakh crore
During an interaction with the media, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Goel highlighted the growth of the Khadi and Village Industries sector, attributing its progress to the vision and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
chairman said the sector recorded a turnover of over ₹1.87 lakh crore in the financial year 2025–26, while employing more than 2.04 crore people. Expressing confidence in its future growth, he said the sector was expected to move towards the turnover target of ₹2.51 lakh crore in the coming years.
The exhibition reflects KVIC’s continued efforts to promote indigenous products, strengthen rural entrepreneurship, expand market opportunities for artisans and weavers, and encourage consumers to embrace Swadeshi. By bringing the country’s diverse traditions and locally manufactured products together at Delhi Haat, the initiative also provides a platform for connecting rural producers with urban consumers.
115 stalls bring together traditional textiles, handicrafts and indigenous products from across the country; the exhibition continues till October 15
