After deciding to use natural and eco-friendly Khadi products for its International flights, Air India has placed another big order to Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for the supply of 1,85,000 units of amenity kits. The order is worth Rs8 crore.
Earlier in December 2015, the Air India placed a trial order worth Rs1.21 crore to the KVIC for the supply of 25,000 units of amenity kits. The KVIC suppled the kits in a record time of 40 days.
The amenity kits are given by Air India to its First class and Business class International passengers. The kits includes Khadi hand sanitiser, Khadi moisturiser lotion, Khadi lemongrass, Khadi handmade soap, Khadi lip balm, Khadi rose face wash, essential oils, etc.
The KVIC will supply 1,85,000 kits in four months time to Air India. Around 6,000 kits are for First Class passengers and 1,79,000 for Business Class Passengers. This order will generate more than 4,40,000 man hours which will be a boost to the workers.
KVIC chairman VK Saxena said that following an appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through Mann Ki Baat for purchasing at least one product of Khadi to support the rural artisans, there have been tremendous response in sale of Khadi. In 2015-16, the sale of Khadi products has gone up to Rs1,510 crore, making a whopping 29 per cent increase from Rs1,170 crore during 2014-15, he said.
In the recent days, the KVIC has also taken many marketing initiatives including organising summer collection, Khadi Utsav in colleges and universities, designer wear by Ritu Beri, introduction of Khadi denim, jeans, jackets, t-shirts and skirts, etc.
Saxena also informed that a new Khadi India outlet has been opened in Mumbai last week in Andheri West area and one at Vishakhapatnam Airport.
Focused efforts are being made by KVIC to boost Government supply as well as exports for Khadi & Village Industry products. He further informed that in the in the first ever national level Khadi exhibition at Srinagar, which was inaugurated on May 8, 2016, a sale of Rs1.40 crore has already been registered till June 2,which is a record in itself.