The popularity of Khadi products is growing and latest addition is Air India, who has decided to use natural and eco-friendly Khadi products for its International flights and has placed an order worth Rs 1.21 crores 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 includes Khadi hand sanitizer, Khadi moisturizer lotion, Khadi lemongrass, Khadi handmade soap, Khadi lip balm, Khadi rose face wash, essential oils etc. KVIC will supply 25,000 kits by 31.01.2016 to Air India in which 5000 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 appeal made by the 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.
Shri Saxena also informed that 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 Departments 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 scarves 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 that in the recent IITF exhibition, KVIC pavilion attracted large number of visitors and the preference for Khadi was revealed by the record sale of Rs 5.51 crores and a footfall of more than one lakh people in the pavilion.
He added that the Khadi wave has come to stay. 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.