Published
Jan 12, 2022
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PM Modi gifts Kullu-made hemp footwear to Kashi temple priests

Published
Jan 12, 2022

As a potential boost to Himachal Pradesh’s hemp fibre industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered 50 pairs of Kullu-made hemp footwear to be delivered to priests of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Kullu (pictured) is known for hemp production but the fibre is technically illegal in the state - Punjab Kesari- Facebook


Modi visited Mandi on December 27, 2021 and showed an interest in the locally-made footwear which is made from natural hemp fibres and is named ‘pule’ in Kullu, The Tribune reported. The Prime Minister ordered the footwear be delivered to temple staff who, unable to wear leather or rubber footwear inside the temple for religious reasons, were performing pujas without footwear in the cold winter. 
 
“On the demand of the PM, we sent 50 slippers to the PMO a few days ago,” Kullu’s deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg told The Tribune. “These slippers were prepared by local residents, who have expertise in preparing ropes, bags and slippers of hemp.”

The Prime Minister’s endorsement of hemp footwear is significant as the Government of Himachal Pradesh is considering making the controlled cultivation of cannabis legal for both the pharmaceutical industry and goods including hemp ropes, slippers, and garments, among others.

However, despite petitions from Himachal Pradesh citizens saying legalising the crop would improve their livelihoods and the local economy, the local government has not yet formally made any decision on the matter. 
 

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