UP first state to make a policy for traditional products: CM Yogi
Lucknow| Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that readymade garments are a threat from small countries of the world. Those who have few resources and little prospects have moved forward. We also have the potential and resources. If a large section of half the population seeking work is combined with sericulture, processing, readymade garments, designing, marketing, packaging, then Uttar Pradesh and India can replace the countries making threats in readymade garments in the world.
To take this possibility forward, one should take advantage of the steps taken by the state government. CM said that we have succeeded in increasing silk production 84 times. The time may definitely come when the farmers of UP will be counted among the leading states in the country in silk production.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Silk Expo, which runs from October 22 to 28, at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. CM releases Resham Mitra magazine and 16 farmers, entrepreneurs, institutions and designers awarded Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Silk Ratna Award. CM also visited the exhibition organized.
CM Yogi said that after the BJP government came to power in 2017, the state has taken many steps to encourage traditional products. Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country which made a policy for traditional products. For 75 districts, marking one product there, carried forward. This is why 75 is the unique product of the district, which we called One District, One Product. When the government linked ODPOP with market, designing and packaging, it created employment and also started exporting traditional products. There are 75 GI products in 75 districts of UP, which have been recognised within the country. This possibility is in UP. There is also an opportunity to increase the potential of UP through the sarees of Varanasi, Bhadohi and Mubarakpur. We will have to make efforts to make Silk Expo a medium to advance the prospects of UP in this field.
He said that the slogan of food, clothing and shelter has always been prevalent. Air and water are not only necessary for living beings and any person, but food, clothing and house are also necessary. Textiles are not only the need of life, but are also a powerful medium for increasing the income of farmers as well as creating employment. Silk has had different methods since ancient times. UP, with a population of 25 crores, can develop many possibilities in this field. UP has made progress in recent times. This is satisfactory compared to before, but right now it is inadequate from the point of view of a big state like Uttar Pradesh. There are immense possibilities here.
CM Yogi said that everyone should see what possibilities can develop in Uttar Pradesh. From Varanasi, Bhadohi, Azamgarh to Varanasi in UP, be it Mubarakpur saree or Varanasi saree. The Central and State Governments have taken forward new efforts in this direction to develop silk clusters. Silk sarees of Varanasi become the choice for every auspicious event across the country. After the increase in Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the increased number of devotees and tourists has given new heights to this business. This has increased significantly after the construction of Trade Facilitation Center through Expo Mart in Varanasi.
CM said that looking at the progress of entrepreneurs associated with saree industry of Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, silk clusters of Mirzapur, Varanasi and Bhadohi, it seems that there is a lot of scope in it. PM Mitra Park (a larger form of Textiles Park) is going to come on the Lucknow-Hardoi border of Uttar Pradesh. Different industries related to textiles are going to be set up in an area of one thousand acres. This is a medium to showcase the possibilities of UP, but we will have to prepare the raw material. If farmers move forward in this direction, many schemes are being run by the Central Government for encouragement. The department should organize seminars, seminars in every district, communicate with progressive farmers about these schemes and connect them with processing-training programs. Possibilities will increase not only in Gorakhpur division but also in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Lucknow, Devipatan, Basti, Azamgarh.
CM Yogi said that in a state like UP, there are 9 climatic zones. These have the opportunity to develop and advance different agricultural products in different regions. These possibilities can become very good in UP. Varanasi-Azamgarh has been a cluster of silk industry since ancient times. Connect silk production, processing, textile production with further processing at local level. If raw material is available cheap then naturally the cost will also be cheaper. This will help in making products easily available to the people as per the demand of the society and market. In this direction, the government will help in linking it with training, cooperation for raw material-processing, marketing and designing.
CM Yogi said that the farmers and entrepreneurs of UP have been associated with it since ancient times, but they had to face the brunt of the previous government. They were not combined with proper incentives, designing, packaging as per the time. This happened not only in silk, but in every field of traditional products. Terracotta products will be available in Corpet, Gorakhpur in Bhadohi. Most of the GI products are in Varanasi. There are leather products in Agra and Kanpur, brass products in Moradabad, glass in Firozabad, sports items in Meerut, that is, different products from different districts present the potential of UP in front of the country and the world. Through this, UP is providing a platform to youth and entrepreneurs to move forward through traditional products.
CM Yogi said that efforts will have to be started to rapidly increase the silk clusters in the areas where they can develop or where there are possibilities within UP. If necessary, the department should also provide a separate facility to such farmers who, by participating as Resham Mitra, can bring the possibilities of this field to the ground and make UP a healthy competitive state compared to other states. Their cooperation will have to be taken. If the incentive system progresses in a timely manner, then the possibilities of UP can be presented to the country and the world in a much better way in this field also. PM Mitra Textiles Park, which is going to be developed soon in Lucknow, can be of great help in taking these possibilities forward.
He said that silk clothes are based on indigenous technology. We have to improve technology in a time bound manner. We have to connect with him. In Khadi, first there was a hand-held spinning wheel, followed by an electric spinning wheel. When electricity expenses increased, the speed also increased five to ten times. Now solar charkha has also arrived to reduce electricity expenses. Similarly, silk products will be linked with processing, that process will also have to be followed to link the spinning program. CM said that women’s self-reliance can be taken forward with daily tasks at the local level. Such programs are moving forward as per the vision of PM Modi under Mission Shakti for women empowerment.
