In response to an appeal made by India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the residents of Delhi have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the nation's heritage and sustainable living. On the commemorative occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the iconic Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, New Delhi, reported unprecedented sales of Khadi and Village Industries products, amounting to a remarkable Rs. 1,52,45,000.
The driving force behind this historic sales surge, Manoj Kumar, Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise, attributed this achievement to the ‘Brand Power’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his unparalleled popularity among the masses. According to Manoj Kumar, it was during the 'Mann Ki Baat' program on September 24, 2023, that the Prime Minister had called upon the nation to purchase Khadi products on Gandhi Jayanti.
This simple yet powerful appeal resonated deeply with the public and created a substantial impact. It's evident from this year's remarkable sales figures that people hold a special attachment to India's cultural legacy in the form of Khadi. Comparing the sales data from 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's clear that this year's sales of Rs. 1,52,45,000 represent a significant increase.
Manoj Kumar himself kickstarted the celebrations by making the inaugural purchase of Khadi clothes at Khadi Bhawan on the morning of October 2nd and completing the transaction through a digital payment using UPI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated for the purchase of Khadi products on both 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 ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-reliant India Campaign) and the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative have propelled the sales of Khadi and Village Industries products, surpassing Rs. 1.34 lakh crores in the past nine years.
At the G-20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi not only showcased Khadi by welcoming world leaders in Khadi attire but also inspired the citizens of India to support this cause. The result was a remarkable surge in the number of customers flocking to Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, Delhi, on Gandhi Jayanti.
Looking back at the sales figures from the last three years on Gandhi Jayanti, it is apparent that every year has seen sales exceed the 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 this fiscal year.
These figures underscore that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khadi has become a leading force in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign, symbolizing self-reliance and sustainability in the country.
