Latest news with #VocalforLocal
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Steps on to take number of 'Lakhpati Didis' to 2 crore by Aug 15: Chouhan
Nearly 1.5 crore women have already become 'Lakhpati Didis' in India and the Centre is making efforts to raise the figure to 2 crore by August 15, Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said. 'Lakhpati Didi' refers to a woman member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) who earns an income of ₹1 lakh or more per year. Mr. Chouhan on Saturday (July 19, 2025) visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh town of Gujarat, where he reviewed its activities and interacted with farmers and Lakhpati Didis of SHGs, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a release. In his address, Mr. Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a resolve to make every woman a Lakhpati Didi. "Why should any woman remain poor? This campaign is being run across India. Till now, 1.5 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis and my department is constantly taking steps to make 2 crore women Lakhpati Didis by August 15," he said. In Junagadh, there are women who are already earning more than ₹10 lakh per year, the Minister pointed out. "Women living in rural areas have proven that they can do wonders if they are provided with opportunity, training and bank linkage. These women are the true torchbearers of 'Vocal for Local'. I am confident that these women will build a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) as envisioned by PM Modi," said the Minister, who also handles the rural development portfolio. Mr. Chouhan lauded women for their contribution in this regard. "Keep pushing forward with courage. PM Modi himself stands with you to ensure all possible support. Plans are underway to increase women's participation in the industrial sector. The hard work of women will help build a Viksit Bharat as envisioned by the PM," he said. Stating that agriculture is still the backbone of Indian economy and for him, the Union minister said serving farmers is equal to worshipping God. "I don't just sit in my Delhi office. Instead, I visit agricultural fields, interact with farmers and try to provide a solution to their problems. Our PM also gives highest priority to agriculture," Mr. Chouhan said in his address. Earlier on Saturday (July 19, 2025), Mr. Chouhan offered prayers at the famous Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district and visited the Devaliya Safari Park near Gir National Park at Sasan.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Chhattisgarh Govt's Big Push Under CM Vishnu Deo Sai: 'JashPure' trademark to be transferred to industry department
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India] July 5 (ANI): JashPure, the unique brand of natural forest-based food products crafted by tribal women in the remote Jashpur district, is set to transcend regional boundaries and make a mark on national and international platforms, said a release. In a significant move, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led Chhattisgarh government has decided that the trademark of this ambitious women-led brand will now be formally transferred to the Department of Industries. The decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vocal for Local campaign and marks a decisive step towards scaling up production, institutional branding, and global outreach. According to the release, JashPure is more than a label - it is a testament to women's entrepreneurship rooted in traditional wisdom. Managed by tribal women from Jashpur, the enterprise focuses on creating natural, nutritious, preservative-free food products while generating livelihoods and promoting sustainable development. The brand aims to process Chhattisgarh's rich agricultural and forest produce into value-added foods that can compete commercially across markets. Every JashPure product is crafted without artificial colours, preservatives, or flavourings and is offered in eco-friendly packaging - capturing the essence of Chhattisgarh's soil and the hard work of its Indigenous women. JashPure has built a diverse range of traditional and health-focused products using mahua and millets. The flagship offerings include Mahua Nectar, Mahua Vanyaprash, Mahua Cookies, Ragi Mahua Laddus, Mahua Candy, and Mahua Nectar Cocoa. In addition, Jawa Phool rice, millet pasta, and assorted items made with kodo, kutki, ragi, and tau are gaining recognition across India. Beyond commerce, JashPure stands as a powerful model for women's economic empowerment. Over 90% of the workforce comprises tribal women who manage every aspect of production and packaging. Through this platform, they are not only achieving financial independence but also transforming traditional knowledge into products that meet modern market standards. Every product tells the story of their resilience and commitment, now reaching shelves in stores nationwide - a clear sign of the brand's growing footprint. At World Food India 2024, held on 20 September at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, JashPure's stall drew widespread attention. Health-conscious consumers, nutritionists, and entrepreneurs alike appreciated the preservative-free, naturally processed range. The products are entirely free from additives and stabilisers, thereby reinforcing their safety and nutritional value. JashPure's reach is set to expand further through a strategic partnership with Rare Planet. In the first phase, mahua and other products will be retailed at five major airport stores across the country - opening doors to a nationwide consumer base. The MoU was signed virtually in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, underscoring the government's commitment to taking local produce to the world stage. Samarth Jain, a young scientist from Jashpur associated with the initiative, shared that efforts are underway to rebrand mahua beyond its traditional association with liquor, positioning it instead as 'Forest Gold' or 'Green Gold.' JashPure has proven that healthy food can be delicious, too. According to Jain, this move will accelerate JashPure's evolution into a global brand and unlock fresh opportunities for forest-produce gatherers and local entrepreneurs across Chhattisgarh. The historic decision to transfer the trademark is expected to drive higher demand for raw materials and create more employment for tribal women. With the Industry Department's stewardship, the brand will be empowered to scale up production, invest in advanced processing facilities, and pursue more effective marketing - paving the way for JashPure to emerge as a world-class label. (ANI)
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
153 countries importing toys from India: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): India's toy industry, once heavily dependent on imports, is now manufacturing domestically and exporting to 153 countries, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal addressing the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2025 on Friday said as he highlighted this remarkable transformation. He said that this shift has been made possible through consistent policy support, the enforcement of quality standards, and the strengthening of local manufacturing clusters. The implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO), he added, has helped make India a quality-conscious country and enabled domestic toy manufacturers to meet global benchmarks. The Minister stated that India's population of 1.4 billion offers a vast captive market, which creates a natural advantage for scaling up manufacturing. With this scale, the industry can achieve cost efficiency and become globally competitive. The large domestic market, he said, not only supports expansion but also acts as a foundation for international growth. To capture the global market, Goyal stressed the need for the industry to focus on good branding, attractive packaging, and strong product design. He said that if these three aspects are prioritised, Indian toys can gain stronger appeal across international markets. The growth of the toy industry, Goyal noted, reflects the broader journey of development in the country. He recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vocal for Local initiative, it was met with skepticism by many, as foreign products dominated consumer preference. However, under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the belief that Local can go Global, awareness and support for home-grown industries have steadily increased. Goyal stated that startups developing innovative toy concepts have received significant support through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which has now been extended to 20 years. This, he said, has provided access to collateral-free loans for small businesses. He further informed that to promote domestic production, 18 toy clusters across the country have been supported by the Ministry of MSME. To build on this progress, the Minister said that the government is planning to introduce a new promotional scheme for the toy sector. The scheme, he explained, will aim to help Indian toy manufacturers become world-class by enhancing design capabilities, ensuring quality manufacturing, strengthening packaging, and supporting brand building. With sustained focus on innovation, quality, and market development, Goyal expressed confidence that India's toy industry is poised to become a key player in the global market. (ANI)
India.com
23-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Big step by Modi government as India exports THIS to Saudi Arabia and UAE for the first time, commercial shipment to..., profit of...
PM Narendra Modi New Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said that the first commercial shipment of premium cherries from Jammu and Kashmir is being sent to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The minister has informed that a major market has opened up for 'cherry farmers' and now they will get better value for their produce. Union Minister Goyal posted, 'It is a matter of great joy. The first commercial shipment of premium cherries from Jammu & Kashmir has been dispatched to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.' He added, 'A huge market has now opened up for our cherry farmers, who will now get better value for their produce.' A Big Win for 'Vocal for Local': Union Minister The minister has said that the government is working relentlessly to end the logistical bottlenecks to establish India as a global supplier of premium agri-products. He said, 'This is a big win for 'Vocal for Local'. The government is committed to removing logistical challenges and enhancing market access for Indian agricultural and processed food products. In April, Union Minister Piyush Goyal appreciated the efforts of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for facilitating the first commercial sea shipment of the Indian saffron variety of pomegranate to the United States. This initiative is expected to create new opportunities for farmers to benefit from the growing global demand for high-quality agricultural produce. Pomegranates Shipped by Sea for the First Time The first-ever sea shipment of Indian pomegranates—comprising 4,620 boxes weighing around 14 tonnes—reached New York in the second week of March, five weeks after departing from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra. The consignment was warmly received in the United States. The quality of the pomegranates was described as excellent, and customers were captivated by the visual appeal and exceptional taste of the Indian 'Bhagwa' variety.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Retailers launch call centre to promote local garments in MP
Indore: In a move to promote local products, the retail garment manufacturers of Indore launched a call centre aimed at mobilising traders across Madhya Pradesh. This initiative came just a day after representatives from 125 trade associations pledged their commitment to promoting locally manufactured goods under the 'Vocal for Local' campaign. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Indore Retail Garments Association is targeting to reach out to approximately 10 lakh traders in a concerted effort to encourage a boycott of goods imported from China and Bangladesh. A dedicated call centre has been established to facilitate communication and encourage more traders to join the movement. Akshay Jain, President of the Indore Retail Garments Association, announced that they amassed data on around 10 lakh traders from various social and nationalist organisations. The goal is to appeal to these traders not only to stop selling foreign garments from China and Bangladesh but also to reject products from Turkey and Azerbaijan. "Our message has already reached over 350,000 consumers," Jain said. The association claimed to return stocks worth Rs 20 crore purchased from stockists dealing in foreign clothing, particularly in light of these countries' support for Pakistan amidst ongoing conflicts with India. The initiative garnered significant support, with more than 600 retail garment traders pledging to refrain from selling clothes sourced from China and Bangladesh. The association said that as a result of this boycott, local market will shift its focus towards ready-made garments produced in cities such as Ludhiana, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bellary, Surat, Jaipur, and Indore, aiming to strengthen local garment industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
