Khadi set for revival in India

08 October, 2012

The Gandhian fabric that held a special meaning for Indian freedom fighters never actually made it to the mainstream market after Independence. However, Khadi development boards are in a revival mode with the sellers displaying them in various malls.

IF YOU thought the Khadi has become a thing of past, you better think again. If the Khadi village and industry commission has its way, it is planning to set up 50 malls in India and abroad to increase the sale of the fabric.

KVIC chairman, Devendra Desai told ANI, “The production of the Gandhian fabric has increased in the last plan. In a bid to promote the material the commission is organizing several exhibitions so that visitors come and purchase the products.” He also added, “In the 11th plan, the Khadi production, sale and the growth was about nine percent. Last year, we had more than 600 crores rupees of production and sale of more than 800 crores rupees. In the 12th Five Year Plan, our aim for production and sale is about 13 percent growth rate.”

The organization has plans to tie up with a designing institute to reach out to the masses. A customer who loves the Khadi fabric, Mamta said, “I came here sometime back. The designs are good. I came here after quite a few years. We are now buying mostly eco-friendly products and we are getting a discount as well due to Gandhi Jayanti that was on October 2.” Visitors were thrilled about the exhibition and said there were various designs which were attractive. With this kind of vision in mind the Khadi trade will soon be thriving.