Bhatt said this in his valedictory address of the 10-day Khadi and Gram Udyog Exhibition here on Monday which was organised after a gap of 14 years by Gujarat State Khadi Gramudyog Board.

Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Dr A K Patel in his address said the use of artificial cloth gave rise to skin diseases and by the manufacture of synthetic clothes only a handful of persons were benefited. Khadi is beneficial on a large-scale as it would give employment to rural masses.

Various khadi and gramudyog organisations had put up stalls at the exhibition. According to an official information, they are believed to have earned an income of nearly Rs 1.50 crore. The delegates of Vishwa Gujarati Meet had also visited the exhibition.

Five organisations Khadi Mandir, Ahmedabad; Khadi Gramudyog Sahakari Bhandra, Ahmedabad; Udyog Bharati, Gondal; Saurashtra Gandhiji Gramudyog Trust, Swaminag Gathda and Ranpur Khadi Gramudyog who topped the sales were given certificates.

Speaking on the occasion, former finance minister Sanat Mehta said as compared to globalisation where there was little scope for giving employment, in khadi and gramudyog a large number of people can be employed to alleviate villagers poverty.