The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Khadi and Village Industries Board (A&NIKVIB) is making a renewed push to revive the spirit of self-reliance and indigenous enterprise across the Union Territory. In a two-pronged initiative, the Board recently organized an awareness programme at a city school while also announcing a set of free vocational training programmes aimed at unemployed youth.
On August 2, the Board conducted a special awareness drive at Government Senior Secondary School in Bathubasthi to engage students with the history, values, and practical relevance of Khadi. The event featured a hands-on charkha demonstration and an exhibition of Khadi garments and fabric. Around 120 students and teachers attended the programme, which aimed to instill a sense of pride in Indian heritage and emphasize the role of Khadi in both the freedom movement and today’s sustainability landscape.
The session included a detailed presentation on the origins and significance of Khadi, tracing its roots to the Swadeshi movement and its continued symbolism of self-reliance. Exhibits showcased the fabric’s texture, versatility, and eco-friendly attributes, while a live spinning wheel demonstration allowed students to experience firsthand the process of making handspun cloth. The event was inaugurated by a senior teacher of the school, who addressed the students on the importance of embracing indigenous products and cultural pride.
Parallel to its awareness-building efforts, the Khadi Board has also rolled out a series of free skill development training programmes for unemployed youth. Targeted at those with a minimum education of class VIII pass, the training covers a range of trades designed to enable self-employment and micro-enterprise creation. Courses include:
- Manufacturing of coconut shell handicrafts (15 days)
- Handicrafts using pandanus leaves, coir, or coconut shell (15 days)
- Fast food stall operation (2 weeks)
- Beautician course (1 month)
- Poultry/Dairy farming (1 month)
These programmes promise not only hands-on experience but also expert mentoring and post-training assistance under relevant government schemes. The training aims to enable participants to launch small businesses and sustainable livelihood ventures, especially in rural or remote areas of the islands.
The last date for application submission has been extended from July 31 to August 20, 2025, to encourage wider participation. Application forms are available at the Board’s main office in Udyog Parisar Complex, Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, and at extension offices in Bakultala, Diglipur, Hutbay, and Car Nicobar. Forms can also be downloaded from the official government website at http://andaman.gov.in/An and submitted directly to the Board’s office.
Officials from the Board view both initiatives, school outreach and vocational training, as complementary efforts to reposition Khadi as both a heritage asset and a modern-day opportunity for economic empowerment. The school programme aims to build early awareness and cultural pride, while the training programmes offer practical tools for economic independence and entrepreneurship.
By placing equal emphasis on education and economic opportunity, the A&NIKVIB’s initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy to revive Khadi as both a cultural symbol and a means for livelihood. The effort is in alignment with the broader goals of self-reliance and rural development outlined by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
As interest in sustainable materials and local economies continues to rise globally, the twin initiatives by the Khadi Board signal a timely alignment with national priorities and local aspirations alike. Whether through classrooms or community centres, Khadi is being woven once again into the social and economic fabric of the islands.
