To enhance opportunities for livelihood for women weavers, local artisans, and craftsmen, the Indian Railways has given opportunities at over 1,000 places across various stations in the country under its ‘One Station One Product” (OSOP) scheme, Union Railways Minister Aishwini Vaishnaw said.
The Union Minister was speaking at a press conference after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated around 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs. 41,000 crores via video conferencing.
PM Modi spoke about the ‘One Station One Product’ program where products by small farmers, artisans, and Vishwakarma friends are being promoted by the railway through thousands of stalls set up at the stations.
“Just as interest is earned on money deposited in banks, similarly every penny spent on infrastructure creates new sources of income and new employment”, the Prime Minister emphasised, noting that laying of new rail lines creates multiple employment opportunities, be it a laborer or an engineer.
The Ministry of Railways launched the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme aimed at promoting the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision by providing a market for local/indigenous products and creating additional income opportunities for the marginalised sections of society.
Indian Railways OSOP scheme
Started as a pilot project in March 2022, Indian Railways ‘One Station One Product’ initiative provides uniquely designed sale outlets for locals to sell indigenous products. These stall/ kiosk/ sale outlets at identified railway stations for the sale and promotion of items sourced from local manufacturers improve their skills and livelihood.
As of November 2023, 1,189 OSOP outlets were made operational at 1,083 stations. These OSOP outlets have been allotted to the local beneficiaries which inter-alia include 184 Artisans, 630 Craftsmen, 147 Weavers, and 202 Agricultural/Forest product producers among others.
So far, a total of 41,280 direct beneficiaries have availed the opportunities being offered under the OSOP scheme, as of Nov 30.
These products include artefacts made by indigenous tribes, handlooms by local weavers, handicrafts like world-famous wood carving, and other processed/semi-processed food items among others.
The gumption, designed by the National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad, enables distinctive outlets with high visibility to indigenous products, benefiting local craftsmen.