KVIC revives Pokhran Potteries

On June 21, 2020, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in order to revive the pottery industry in Pokhran distributed 80 electric potter wheels.

Highlights

The KVIC distributed blunger machines as well apart from potter wheels. The machines are used to mix clay. These machines are capable of producing 800 kg of clay in 8 hours. When done manually, it takes 5 days to prepare 800 kg of mud. The KVIC also provided 15 days training to the local potters. During the training sessions, the potters depicted Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and International Yoga Day in their pottery art.

There are 300 potter families in Pokhran that are engaged in pottery industry for decades.

Significance

The reviving of pottery industry at Pokhran by KVIC is associated with the GoI’s measures under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. It aims at creating self- employment along with reviving the dying art of pottery. Also, the steps were a part of Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana.

Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana

It is an initiative of KVIC to empower the potters community. Under the programme, the potters are trained for advanced pottery products, new technology equipment like electric Chaak. The Programme also operates KVIC exhibitions.

Pokhran

Pokhran is a village in Rajasthan. It serves as test site for nuclear weapons and missiles prepared by Indian defence organizations.

The region was ruled by the clan of Rathores. The popular monument “Balagarh” is located in Pokhran. It is also called Fort Pokhran.

Nuclear tests

So far, India has conducted two successful nuclear tests in Pokhran. The Pokhran-I also called smiling Buddha was the first nuclear bomb test conducted by India in 1974.

In 1998, India conducted 5 nuclear tests under the code name Operation Shakti in Pokhran.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020