The Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is keen to push products from rural India into the global market. V K Saxena, CMD, KVIC speaks about the vision to provide new employment and create self-reliance amongst the poor in a conversation with M Rajendran.
What is the significance of Khadi?
Khadi means national service. It is serving your own people.
How has it adapted to the new changes?
In 1925, Mahatma Gandhi established the ‘Chakhra Sangh’ and said that we must adopt technology. More than 12 models of chakhras were introduced during that period, along with a lot of innovation. That process is still on — from two splendors to 10 splendors chakhra’s have been introduced, offering better quality, enhanced production and more earning and employment for our artisans. Now we have 16 and 20 splendor chakhras.
But in textile design matters, what has KVIC done on that front?
We have appointed about 45 young designers. Ritu Beri, the international designer from India is our advisor. The team does research and has come out with designs to meet the latest trends.
How has the team targeted the youth?
The focus is on youth centric design, for example concerns for environment is on top of the mind of young generations.Recently many schools have been holding events on khadi clothes to stress how environmental friendly it is.
Can you elaborate on this?
To manufacture one meter of khadi, it requires just three liters of water as against 56 liters of water in the mills. Khadi is skin friendly. This is no secret, that it keeps the body protected and comfortable both in winter and summer. But we have now taken to aggressively reiterating this truth.
Marketing is also a key to promote any product. Is that missing in KVIC?
Earlier, it was missing. Now, I am directly speaking to the concerned officials in the government. We are getting good orders.Both Ministers and Corporate heads have been receptive to our initiatives and new products. Our officers are aggressively marketing the products and we are participating and winning major tenders.
Can you name a few customers?
NTPC, Railways, Air India, IOC, ONGC, REC and several others in the private sector like JK Cements and others in the group company have adopted Khadi.Earlier, Railways was giving orders for two lakh bed sheets and 50,000 pillow covers, now we have got orders for eight lakh bed sheets and pillow covers. We got the biggest supply of Rs 40 crore.KVIC has also bagged a Rs 17 crore order for supply of travel pouch to Air India.
Is it because KVIC is a PSU?
We are competing on terms and conditions set for all. I do not want KVIC to grow on charity.