Air India has decided to use natural and eco-friendly khadi products for its International flights. The national carrier has placed an order worth `1.21 crore to Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for the supply of 25,000 units of amenity kits. The products will be supplied by Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, a flagship showroom of KVIC.
The amenity kits are given by Air India to its First Class and Business Class International passengers. The kits include khadi hand sanitiser, khadi moisturiser lotion, khadi lemongrass, khadi handmade soap, khadi lipbalm, khadi rose facewash, essential oils etc. KVIC will supply 25,000 kits by 31 January, 2016 to Air India in which 5,000 kits are for First Class passengers and 20,000 kits for Business Class. This order will generate more than 60,000 man hours which will be a boost to the workers.
VK Saxena, Chairman, KVIC informed that the following the appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through ‘Man Ki Baat’ for purchasing at least one product of khadi and support the rural artisans, there have been tremendous encouraging response in sale of khadi and more and more people are purchasing khadi especially the youths and teenagers.
In the recent days, KVIC has also taken many marketing initiatives including organising Khadi Utsav in colleges and Universities bringing out fashion wear, designer wear, khadi products like khadi denim, jeans, jackets, t-shirts, skirts etc.
Saxena also informed Airport Authority of India has conveyed its consent for allotting space in the important airports of the country to develop modern khadi outlets.
Recently, KVIC has also taken up its marketing efforts with Government Department like Defence, Paramilitary Forces, Railways and Delhi Police etc for procurement of bulk orders to support the Khadi & Village Industries. Director General of Home Guards, Maharashtra has already expressed interest in purchasing Khadi for uniforms and shoes for their forces. CBI also placed an order of 400 Silk Ties and Scarf’s for its International Conference held last month.
Focused efforts are being made by KVIC to boost Government supply as well as exports for Khadi & Village Industry products. He further informed in the recent IITF exhibition, KVIC pavilion attracted large number of visitors and the preference for Khadi was revealed by the record sale of `5.51 crore and a footfall of more than one lakh persons to the pavilion. He added that the khadi wave has come to stay.