India is witnessing a ‘khadi wave’ and more and more Ministries and institutions have started using the hand-woven fabric on a day-to-day basis, KVIC Chairman VK Saxena said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Man Ki Baat’ programme had appealed the citizens to buy at least one khadi product to support rural artisans and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan too has recently issued an advisory appealing all colleagues in the ministry and its PSUs to use khadi, Saxena, the Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), said.
Saxena said that the Petroleum Minister has recently issued an advisory, appealing to all colleagues of Ministry and PSUs under Administrative control of his Ministry to use Khadi.
“Pradhan has further stated that he would like the PSUs to encourage use of Khadi uniforms for their direct and contractual employees," Saxena said.
In a signed circular, Pradhan also mentioned about Prime Minister's recent slogan ‘Azadi ke Pahale, Khadi for Nation: Azadi ke Baad, Khadi for Fashion" and stressed to encourage Khadi as means of strengthening self reliance and providing sustenance to Rural India.
While expressing gratitude to Pradhan, Saxena stated that a Khadi wave has been created by the Prime Minister Modi in the country and more and more Ministries and the institutions have started using khadi for their day-to-day wear.
A "khadi wave has been created by the Prime Minister" which is driving demand for the products and generating extra man hours for khadi artisans, he said in statement.
Sales of khadi and village industries products have increased to Rs 37,935 crore in 2015-16, from Rs 33,136 crore in 2014-15.