Nanjangud: Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) Chairman N.R. Krishnappa Gowda said that a model of Gujarat’s Sabarmati Ashram will be built at Badanavalu in Nanjangud taluk at a cost of Rs.1 crore to attract tourists.

He was speaking at the International Tourism Day organised by Tourism Department at Khadi Handloom Centre at Badanavalu recently.

Pointing out that Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the Khadi Centre at Badanavalu in 1927, Krishnappa Gowda said had not Gandhiji launched the Khadi movement, thousands of people from rural areas would have been rendered jobless in the pre-independence days.

Noting that he had taken up securing of all Khadi Centre properties after he became KVIB Chairman, he highlighted the measures he had taken for revival of Khadi and Village industries.

Explaining the facilities and benefits available under KVIB, he reiterated that Badanavalu will be made  tourist destination with the establishment of Sabarmati Ashram model.

Tourism Department official Raghavendra, Tourist Guides Association President Ashok, District KVIB Officer Kantharaju and other officials were present on the occasion.