03/11/2026
*Prepare a Comprehensive Roadmap for Rural Entrepreneurship Development by 2047 – Governor Jishnu Dev Varma*
*Governor Presents ‘Gramodyog Bharari Samman Awards’*
*Governor Suggests Organising a Month-Long ‘Maharashtra Khadi and Village Industries Festival’ in Mumbai Every Year*
*Prize Money for Awards to be Doubled from Next Year – Industries Minister Uday Samant*
Mumbai, November 3: Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has called upon the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board to prepare a comprehensive and forward-looking development roadmap aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with a focus on strengthening the rural economy and generating sustainable employment by effectively leveraging traditional skills, natural resources, and entrepreneurial potential available in rural areas.
The Governor was addressing the ‘Gramodyog Bharari Samman Awards 2025 and 2026’ presentation ceremony organised by the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai. On the occasion, he felicitated successful rural entrepreneurs from various districts of Maharashtra. Appreciating the Board’s efforts to promote rural entrepreneurship, he congratulated the award-winning entrepreneurs for their achievements.
The Governor observed that rural entrepreneurs should integrate traditional skills with modern technology to expand their enterprises and create greater employment opportunities. He stressed the need to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs through schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM Vishwakarma Scheme, and the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.
Governor Dev Varma specially lauded the Board’s ‘Honey Village’ initiative. He noted that, following the successful models of Mahagaon and Kadgaon, ten additional villages in the State are being developed as Honey Villages, for which the Government has earmarked approximately Rs. 5.02 crore. Beekeeping and honey production, he said, would not only enhance farmers’ incomes but also create new livelihood opportunities in rural areas. He further emphasised the need for scientific training, honey processing, packaging, and marketing support to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
Highlighting the importance of preserving the rich legacy of Khadi while adapting to changing consumer preferences, the Governor said that Khadi products should be made more attractive, high-quality, and competitive. He suggested organising a month-long ‘Maharashtra Khadi and Village Industries Festival’ in Mumbai every year. The festival, he said, should feature product exhibitions, fashion shows, and buyer-seller meets. He also proposed establishing permanent sales outlets for Khadi and village industry products at major locations such as airports and developing a dedicated digital marketplace. Such initiatives would help local producers gain access to national as well as international markets.
The Governor underscored the importance of bringing women, youth, traditional artisans, and socially disadvantaged sections into the mainstream of entrepreneurship. He said that every district should promote industries based on its local skills and natural resources. The Board, he added, should work towards clearly defined goals aimed at creating prosperous villages, skilled artisans, empowered women, and self-reliant young entrepreneurs by 2047.
*Prize Money for ‘Gramodyog Bharari Awards’ to be Doubled from Next Year – Industries Minister Uday Samant*
Industries Minister Uday Samant announced that the cash component of the Gramodyog Bharari Awards would be doubled from next year in order to further encourage entrepreneurs in the Khadi and Village Industries sector.
He said that the success story of an entrepreneur who built a business with a turnover of Rs. 25 crore within just two to three years after availing a loan of only Rs. 5 lakh was truly inspiring. Such successful entrepreneurs, he said, should serve as Brand Ambassadors for the Khadi and Village Industries sector.
The Minister noted that Maharashtra remains one of the leading states in the country in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the startup ecosystem. He added that the State also enjoys a high rate of implementation of investment proposals. To further accelerate industrial growth, he urged the Board to focus on creating more entrepreneurs and startups through initiatives such as the Tantraratna Scheme, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, and the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.
Inspiring Stories of Successful Entrepreneurs to be Shared Across the State
Explaining the objective behind the Gramodyog Bharari Samman Awards, instituted in 2023, Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board Chairman Ravindra Sathe said that the awards were introduced to recognise and encourage entrepreneurs who have successfully established enterprises and generated employment opportunities by availing benefits under government schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme and the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.
He said that, in line with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of self-reliant villages, it is essential to promote self-employment and enterprise development in rural areas. This year, 11 entrepreneurs are being honoured, and a publication documenting their inspirational success stories will be published and circulated across the State.
*Awardees Honoured Awards for 2025*
First Prize (Rs. 15,000):
Raksha Ramesh Wage, Pragat Mahila Gruh Udyog, Thane District.
Second Prize (Rs. 10,000):
Sandesh Parshuram Dalvi, Laxmi Cashew (Cashew Processing Unit), Ratnagiri District.
Third Prize (Rs. 7,000):
Darshan Gopaldas Yadav, Sarva Electrec (Machine Manufacturing Unit), Dhule District.
Encouragement Awards:
Sangeeta Lalaso Bhosale (Jagruti Turmeric Powder Industry, Sangli),
Minal Sachin Desai (Swayam Joint Liability Group – Fruit and Flower Processing Unit, Sindhudurg),
Vishnu Motiram Pawar (Venkatesh Arts Studio – Sculpture Making Unit, Nashik), and
Krishna Dnyanba Chaudhari (Jijau Manufacturing Industries, Washim) were presented mementoes and certificates of appreciation.
*Awards for 2026*
First Prize (Rs. 15,000):
Paras Dileep Golecha, Brahmannath Pharma, Ahilyanagar District.
Second Prize (Rs. 10,000):
Tejal Abhimanyu Nagawade, Baramati Eco System, Pune District.
Third Prize (Rs. 7,000):
Harshad Namdev Suvarnavanshi, Mangalmurti Food Industries, Sangli District.
*Encouragement Award:*
Vaibhav Subhashrao Mankar, Vaibhav Creation (Sculpture Making Unit), Amravati District, was presented a memento and certificate of appreciation.
Among those present on the occasion were Dr. Prashant Narnaware, Secretary to the Governor; Ms. Prerana Deshbhratar, Commissioner, MSME and Managing Director, MSSIDC; Lakshman Raut, Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board; and Ravindra Thakare, Additional District Collector and Joint Chief Executive Officer, along with several distinguished guests.
