Responding to the appeal of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Delhi have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the country’s heritage and sustainable living. On the commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti, the famous Khadi Bhawan at Connaught Place, New Delhi reported unprecedented sales of Khadi and village industries products, amounting to a remarkable Rs. 1,52,45,000
Manoj Kumar, chairman of the Khadi and Rural Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, attributed the success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ‘brand power’ as the driving force behind this historic sales growth. According to Manoj Kumar, the unprecedented popularity among the people, it was during the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program on 24 September 2023 that the Prime Minister appealed to the nation to buy Khadi products on Gandhi Jayanti.
This simple yet powerful appeal resonated deeply with the public and created considerable impact. This year’s remarkable sales figures show that people have a special attachment to India’s cultural heritage in the form of Khadi. Comparing the sales figures of the previous financial year (2022-23), which stood at Rs. 1,33,95,000 on Gandhi Jayanti at Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, Delhi, it is clear that this year’s sales of Rs. 1,52,45,000 representing a significant increase.
Manoj Kumar himself kicked off the celebrations on the morning of October 2 by making the inaugural purchase of Khadi clothes at Khadi Bhavan and completing the transaction through digital payment using UPI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated the procurement of Khadi products on national and international platforms.
During events like the G20 Summit and National Handloom Day at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, he highlighted how the ‘Atmanir Bhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-Reliance India Campaign) and the ‘Vakal for Local’ initiative has boosted the sale of Khadi. 1.34 lakh crore in the last nine years, and the products of village industries, over Rs.
At the G-20 summit, Prime Minister Modi welcomed world leaders dressed in khadi, not only showcasing khadi but also encouraging citizens of India to support the cause. The result was a phenomenal increase in the number of customers visiting the Khadi Bhavan in Connaught Place, Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti.
A look at the sales data on Gandhi Jayanti for the last three years shows that every year the sales have crossed Rs. 1 crore mark. However, this year marks a historic milestone as the sales figure reached an impressive Rs. 1.5 crore in FY 2021-22, Khadi and Village Industries products recorded sales of Rs. 1.01 crore, which then increased to Rs. 1.34 crore in 2022-23, and now stands at Rs. 1.52 crore for the current financial year.
These figures indicate that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khadi has become a major force in the ‘Atmanir Bhar Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign, a symbol of self-reliance and sustainability in the country.
First Published: 04 Oct 2023, 20:55 IST