UGC asks universities to promote 'People's Choice Campaign’, to encourage students’ participation

NEW DELHI: The ministry of commerce, Government of India is organising 'People's Choice Campaign' from November 3. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher educational institutions (HEIs) to plan activities to encourage maximum involvement of students in promoting One District One Product (ODOP), Geographical Indication (GI), and other local products in the country.

The UGC requested universities to host blog writing competitions about local products at colleges and to screen educational videos about local and ODOP items and shadow an artisan or weaver.

The institutes have also been asked to upload the details of the activities along with photos and videos on the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) at uamp.ugc.ac.in.

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The People's Choice Campaign campaign is being launched with an aim to recognise, value and preserve the heritage of our country. The Government of India has been actively promoting local, ODOP, and GI items across the country.

The Central Government has launched the ODOP initiative in several States and UTs across the country. The ODOP Initiative aims to promote balanced regional development across the country's districts, facilitating comprehensive socioeconomic progress across all areas. The goal is to turn each district in the country into a manufacturing and export hub by finding items with export potential in each district.

“The ODOP initiative aims to boost economic growth at the district level by encouraging the handicraft industry and craftsmen. The campaign intends to employ messages, outreach, and focused economic activities to promote this campaign in every part of our country,” the commission said.