<p>The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog is targeting production of 33 crore eco-friendly earthen lamps (diyas) made from cow dung during Diwali next month, in order to counter Chinese products, its Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said on Monday.</p>.<p>The Aayog, set up in 2019 for the protection, promotion and conservation of indigenous cattle in the country, has started a nation-wide campaign to encourage the use of cow dung-based products during the forthcoming festival.</p>.<p>"Rejecting China-made diyas, the campaign will boost 'Make in India' concept of the Prime Minister and swadeshi movement," Kathiria said in a press conference here.</p>.<p>More than 15 states have agreed to be part of the campaign. About 3 lakh diyas will be lit in the holy city of Ayodhya, while 1 lakh diyas in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, he said.</p>.<p>"The manufacturing has started. We are targeting 33 crore diyas before Diwali," he said.</p>.<p>About 192 crore kilo of cow dung per day is produced in India at present. There is huge untapped potential in cow dung-based products, he said.</p>.<p>The Aayog said though it is not directly involved in the production of cow dung-based products, it is facilitating and offering training to self-help groups and entrepreneurs seeking to set up businesses.</p>.<p>Besides diyas, the Aayog is promoting the production of other products made from dung, urine and milk such as anti-radiation chip, paperweights, Ganesha and Lakshmi idols, incense sticks, candles among others.</p>.<p>Kathiria said this initiative will help cow shelters (Gaushals), which are currently in financial trouble due to the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> pandemic, to become self-reliant besides creating job opportunities in rural India.</p>.<p>"The trend needs to be reversed and popular perception about cow and cow-based agriculture and cow-based industry need to be corrected immediately for social and economic rejuvenation of society particularly poor in rural areas," he added.</p>.<p>A series of webinars are being organised with stakeholders like farmers, cow shelter operators, entrepreneurs to be part of this campaign, he added. </p>
<p>The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog is targeting production of 33 crore eco-friendly earthen lamps (diyas) made from cow dung during Diwali next month, in order to counter Chinese products, its Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said on Monday.</p>.<p>The Aayog, set up in 2019 for the protection, promotion and conservation of indigenous cattle in the country, has started a nation-wide campaign to encourage the use of cow dung-based products during the forthcoming festival.</p>.<p>"Rejecting China-made diyas, the campaign will boost 'Make in India' concept of the Prime Minister and swadeshi movement," Kathiria said in a press conference here.</p>.<p>More than 15 states have agreed to be part of the campaign. About 3 lakh diyas will be lit in the holy city of Ayodhya, while 1 lakh diyas in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, he said.</p>.<p>"The manufacturing has started. We are targeting 33 crore diyas before Diwali," he said.</p>.<p>About 192 crore kilo of cow dung per day is produced in India at present. There is huge untapped potential in cow dung-based products, he said.</p>.<p>The Aayog said though it is not directly involved in the production of cow dung-based products, it is facilitating and offering training to self-help groups and entrepreneurs seeking to set up businesses.</p>.<p>Besides diyas, the Aayog is promoting the production of other products made from dung, urine and milk such as anti-radiation chip, paperweights, Ganesha and Lakshmi idols, incense sticks, candles among others.</p>.<p>Kathiria said this initiative will help cow shelters (Gaushals), which are currently in financial trouble due to the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> pandemic, to become self-reliant besides creating job opportunities in rural India.</p>.<p>"The trend needs to be reversed and popular perception about cow and cow-based agriculture and cow-based industry need to be corrected immediately for social and economic rejuvenation of society particularly poor in rural areas," he added.</p>.<p>A series of webinars are being organised with stakeholders like farmers, cow shelter operators, entrepreneurs to be part of this campaign, he added. </p>