At least 2330 bee-boxes distributed in Kupwara district of Kashmir in one day; KVIC makes new world record

Srinagar, June 13: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Tuesday distributed 2330 bee-boxes to 233 beneficiaries in the Zangalee Army area at Kupwara in Kashmir and created a world record. 

Notably, KVIC has created a world record for distributing a maximum number of bee-boxes in one day. This was achieved by the KVIC in the Zangalee Army area at Kupwara in Kashmir beating its previous best of 1000 bee boxes distributed in Kaziranga forest area among the Mishing tribe on the occasion of World Honey Bee Day. 2330 bee-boxes were distributed among 233 beneficiaries in the Zangalee Army area.

This initiative was taken under the guidance of Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Member, North Zone KVIC. She held meetings with Army officers and arranged this programme under Honey Mission for the rural areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Besides, KVIC, PMTC Pampore which was recently revived by KVIC organized a grand function at Zangli Garrison Main Town Kupwara in association with the Indian Army.

The KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena, said that the ‘Honey Mission’ is aimed to fulfil the call of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for a Sweet Kranti. The KVIC made an action plan named ‘Honey Mission’ – with a target to distribute 1.3 lakh bee-boxes before November 2018 across the country and so far 27,000 bee-boxes have already been distributed.

The Chairman further added that KVIC is the nodal agency of Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) under which loans will be provided for setting up units of processing, bottling, packaging and labeling units for the honey.

The programme in Kupwara was held in association with the Indian Army under its Sadbhawna programme in order to establish peace and harmony in the valley. Major General C. B Ponappa, GOC Vajra Division Kupwara, in his address, said that such developmental programmes could play a pivotal role in establishing peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Army helped in providing training and also provided 10 percent finance for setting up of the apiaries, thereby providing the beneficiaries a platform for earning a livelihood.