OPTIMAL USE OF RESOURCES
There is no doubt that if things are carried out in a systematic way with innovation being on the top, much can be achieved by doing very less effort. In this regard, the Northern Railways Ferozepur Division has come up with an innovative solution to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local programmes through a comprehensive scheme namely ‘One Station One Product’. It is a unique endeavour to promote local products by transforming Railway Stations into marketing hubs. The brain behind this scheme deserves kudos because this is just the beginning and if the scheme becomes successful many other floodgates can be opened to further enhance the businesses and promote local products. Under the aforesaid scheme, 152 railway stations have been selected in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to make them a promotional and sales hub for local products. The rail passengers will experience the rich heritage of India and will be enticed to buy the local products as the same will be showcased explicitly at the railway stations designated for different products. As far as Jammu is concerned, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry had recently urged Northern Railways to promote local tourism at various platforms available with the national carrier like railway stations, trains, and its websites because Railways is a powerful medium and people in huge numbers do visit various facilities associated with it. Under one station one product the helmsmen have envisaged promotion of local and indigenous products and also to provide an opportunity to earn livelihood through skill development of local weavers, artisans, craftsmen, etc. It has been averred that local products like handlooms, artworks, phulkari, khadi products, milk products, woolen/hosiery products, sports goods and apparel, Kashmiri nuts and spices, local agricultural and food products etc. will be displayed and sold at special counters allotted to the local people. The stalls or kiosks will be provided by railways for this purpose. There is no doubt that the scheme is innovative and most probably will prove out to be beneficial for the local craftsmen, weavers, artisans and even those involved in household businesses like pickle making etc. it is time to keep fingers crossed and see the outcome because this could act as pedestal for many other similar schemes in the coming times.