Attachment
Varanasi: Ahead of Diwali , 160 potter families in Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi received modern electric potter’s wheels under the Potter Empowerment Programme of the Village Industries Development Scheme. He described the distribution of electric wheels as an effort to open new opportunities for 160 potter families rather than merely provide them with equipment. Total sales in the sector reached nearly Rs 1.87 lakh crore in the financial year 2025-26, driven by the efforts of artisans, rural entrepreneurs and women’s self-help groups, he said. The sector provides employment and livelihoods to more than two crore people, while KVIC has set a target of taking sales beyond Rs 2.51 lakh crore.
Addressing the gathering, Goel said Kashi , the city of Baba Vishwanath, was not merely a city but a symbol of India’s civilisation, culture and spiritual consciousness. Its soil, he said, carried centuries-old traditions and the priceless skills of its artisans. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Kashi was witnessing development and modernisation. Goel said rural artisans had an important role in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India. Our effort is to give respect to this hard work and increase the income of potter families,” he said. Goel said the khadi and village industries sector had emerged as an important pillar of the rural economy and self-employment under the Prime Minister’s leadership. Goel urged citizens to take the Prime Minister’s calls for “Vocal for Local” and “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi” to every household.
The initiative aims to combine traditional pottery skills with modern technology and improve the livelihoods of artisan families. Electric wheels will enable potters to make more earthen lamps, utensils and other pottery products in less time and with less physical effort, helping boost productivity, income and self-employment opportunities. modern infrastructure, industries and self-employment opportunities were transforming the lives of ordinary families, he added While Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was attracting global attention. “When an earthen lamp is lit in a home, it carries the hard work, hopes and dreams of a potter family. That lamp becomes a means for children’s education, family livelihood and household prosperity. He appealed to people to light their homes with earthen lamps made by local potters and give priority to khadi and village industry products during festive shopping.