Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi visited Boyanika in Bhubaneswar along with his wife on Thursday and purchased handwoven textiles on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Speaking to the media, the CM said that self-reliance is essential for Odisha’s progress and for realising the state’s vision of becoming a USD 500 billion economy by 2036. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called upon the citizens of India to use Khadi and handloom products on his very first monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address on October 3, 2014. He has been pushing for locally-produced as well as made in India goods for a self-reliant economy,” he said.
Majhi noted that India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy under the leadership of PM Modi and is moving toward becoming a developed nation. “Odisha must also move forward in this direction by supporting local industries and communities,” he said, while urging people to embrace the ‘Vocal for Local’ call, support weavers and artisans, and help preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
“No one can threaten us with tariffs if we achieve the objective of a self-reliant economy,” he said.
The CM further stated that the Jagannath culture also promotes the use of locally-produced goods. “Even today, vegetables like potato and tomato are not used in the preparation of Mahaprasad at Puri Jagannath temple. Lord Jagannath only wears handloom cloths prepared by weavers,” he said.
Boyanika represents the primary weavers cooperative societies of Odisha.