- QCI and the Odhav Industries Association, as well as the Ahmedabad Management Association, ink MoU to strengthen industry collaboration and drive quality-centric growth
- The Gunvatta Yatra will continue its journey for around 55 days across the state, reaching another 32 districts
- The Yatra will promote schemes and certifications such as ZED, ISO, and LEAN to MSMEs across the state
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, APR 7
With Gujarat emerging as a leading force in new sectors such as solar and renewable energy, railway and aerospace engineering, defence, semiconductors, and lithium-ion batteries, quality assurance has become more crucial than ever.
Taking a decisive step towards strengthening Gujarat’s MSME ecosystem, the Gunvatta Yatra reached Odhav, Ahmedabad, bringing industry leaders, government officials, and quality experts together to chart a path for inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.
The event also witnessed the signing of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Odhav Industries Association, as well as the Ahmedabad Management Association, to strengthen industry collaboration and drive quality-centric growth.
The occasion was graced by the esteemed presence of Jagdish Vishwakarma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Co-operation, Salt Industries, Printing and Stationery, Protocol, and Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Industries, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries, Civil Aviation, Government of Gujarat; Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, Quality Council of India; Dr. Savan Godiawala, President, Ahmedabad Management Association; and Mukeshbhai Vekaria, President, Odhav Industries Association (OIA).
The Gunvatta Yatra seeks to enhance Gujarat’s industrial competitiveness by embedding quality, innovation, and sustainability at its core. By equipping businesses with the right tools and knowledge, it will further strengthen Gujarat’s position as a hub for high-quality manufacturing and enterprise.
Jagdish Vishwakarma (Minister of State for Cooperation, Salt Industries, Printing and Stationery, Protocol (Independent Charge), Micro, Small and Medium Industries, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries) said, “Gujarat’s entrepreneurial spirit, when fused with a commitment to quality, can transform our MSMEs from participants in Make in India to leaders of Made with Excellence in India—and the Gunvatta Yatra is a catalyst for this rise with pride, precision, and purpose.”
Jaxay Shah, Chairman, QCI, emphasized the transformative vision behind the Yatra, stating, “The Gujarat Gunvatta Yatra is not just a program—it’s a movement to ignite a culture of quality from the grassroots. By engaging directly with MSMEs, we aim to make quality accessible, affordable, and aspirational. Gujarat’s legacy of innovation now has a new goal: to lead India in quality, setting the pace for Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
Today’s workshop featured a series of back-to-back technical sessions, featuring:
- Insights on labour welfare, social security, skill development, and GeM procurement by experts from the Labour Department, DISH, and GeM.
- Quality tools and services offered by QCI to drive operational excellence.
- Sector-specific interventions by experts from ATIRA, Western Railways, SAC-ISRO, and Gatrad Aviation.
- Government schemes and benefits presented by officials from the Ministry of MSME (GoI) and the MSME Department, Government of Gujarat.
- Highlights on ZED, Lean certifications, and NABL accreditation for MSMEs.
- Key regulatory compliance guidance by BIS, GPCB, and FDCA.
- Product testing and calibration services offered by EQDC, Gandhinagar.
The Gunvatta Yatra will continue its journey for around 55 days across the state, reaching another 32 districts, including key industrial hubs such as Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhidham, Jamnagar, Morbi, Sidhpur, Amreli, and Anand, further strengthening the commitment to quality and excellence across Gujarat’s industries. The Yatra will promote schemes and certifications such as ZED, ISO, and LEAN to MSMEs across the state.
This initiative reaffirms QCI’s commitment to making quality a nationwide movement and supporting Gujarat and Bharat’s journey toward becoming a powerhouse in industry and innovation.
