International Yoga Day brought significant joy to countless Khadi artisans in rural India. Celebrated on June 21, the event saw the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), achieve remarkable sales figures.
The KVIC sold 1,09,022 mats and 63,700 outfits, amassing revenue of Rs 8,67,87,380 (Rs 8.67 crore) through 55 Khadi institutions nationwide, catering to various government departments.
KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar attributed this success to the ‘brand power’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has popularised both the Indian heritage of yoga and Khadi.
“It is a matter of joy for the Khadi family that this time there has been a record-breaking sale of special yoga clothes and mats made by our Khadi artisans,” Kumar stated.
He highlighted the pride felt by Khadi artisans as Prime Minister Modi performed yoga in Srinagar and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah practiced yoga in Ahmedabad, both donning Khadi yoga apparel.
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Kumar emphasised the health and environmental benefits of the attire and mats, noting their chemical-free production and minimal water usage. He added that the surge in sales on International Yoga Day reflects the Indian government’s commitment to preserving Khadi heritage and environmental protection under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. This success also bolsters the Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The released data revealed that KVIC prepared special Khadi kurtas (in T-shirt style) at the request of the Ministry of AYUSH, specifically targeting the youth.
On Yoga Day, KVIC’s Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, Delhi, supplied 50,000 mats and 50,000 outfits to the Ministry of AYUSH, including 300 premium quality mats. Additionally, 25,000 Khadi mats and outfits were delivered to Srinagar, where thousands participated in yoga practice led by Prime Minister Modi.
KVIC also supplied Khadi attire and mats to various organizations, including the Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute, National Ayurveda Institute Jaipur and Panchkula, Defence Research and Development Organization, ONGC, and NALCO.
The sales of Khadi clothes amounted to Rs 3,86,65,900, while the mats fetched Rs 4,81,21,480. To meet the demand, KVIC informed Khadi institutions across the country, involving 55 institutions in Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. This initiative provided additional wages and employment opportunities for spinners, weavers, and Khadi workers.
