Lucknow, Nov. 22 -- The Uttar Pradesh Khadi Mahotsav 2025 opened on Friday with a strong call to transform khadi from a legacy fabric into a youth-powered, innovation-driven movement. Inaugurating the 10-day festival at Kendriya Sanskrit University, Gomti Nagar, MSME and khadi minister Rakesh Sachan urged designers, start-ups and young entrepreneurs to "experiment with design, link khadi with modern lifestyle trends, and take the fabric to national and global markets." He also announced expanded loan facilities for research and development and the distribution of toolkits to boost rural production. Calling khadi "the soul of self-reliant India," Sachan said the Mahotsav embodies next phase of Atmanirbhar Bharat: a fusion of innovation and tradition. More than 160 entrepreneurs and units from across UP are exhibiting the finest khadi, handloom, handicrafts and village industries' products. From Shikohabad's shirt-and-pant-piece makers to Mau's saree weavers, from Sitapur's towel and gamcha clusters to terracotta artisans of Chinhat, the Mahotsav offers a sweeping view of rural craftsmanship. Food entrepreneurs-from papad and buknu makers of Hussain Ganj to namkeen specialists from Bikaner-add flavour to event's marketplace. A major focus this year is skilling youth and equipping them with modern tools. Sachan announced that 66,640 youth have already been provided toolkits in 2025, including dona-making machines, popcorn machines, honey boxes and electric pottery wheels-initiatives that are rapidly transforming rural households into micro-enterprises. htc...