BENGALURU: Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) is planning to woo techies by approaching IT companies across the State to procure Mysuru Silk sarees in bulk, for their employees and clients. With this, KSIC authorities are looking for a wider market across the globe for the century-old Mysuru Silk. The Corporation that makes Mysuru Silk sarees has sold 75,404 sarees in the last financial year (April 2014- March 2015) and has sold 61,980 sarees in the present financial year (till January). At present, saree price ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2.65 lakh per piece. KSIC has sold at least 15 sarees worth Rs 2.65 lakh, last year.
A KSIC official, who did not want to be named, said that now they are all set to approach IT-BT companies. “We are planning to approach IT parks mainly located in Bengaluru and Mysuru. This is for their staff as well as to their clients. Through this, we want to mark our presence across globe. For IT companies, who are making profits, procuring sarees in bulk is not a major financial issue. Some has the tradition of giving corporate gifts to its employees,” an official said.
KSIC authorities will soon visit IT parks located at ITPL near whitefield, Global Village on Mysuru road and also at Electronics city and meet the associations.
Speaking to Express, D Basavaraj, Chairman, KSIC, said in the last one year they have supplied around 8,000 sarees to Air India. “They procured two different colours, one for flying staff and the other for ground staff each worth Rs 6,500,” he said.
KSIC is now expecting another Air India order for another 4,000 sarees.
KSIC is also planning to have an outlet at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.
Speciality of Silk Sarees
Initially the silk fabrics were manufactured at the Silk weaving factory in Mysuru (now owned by KSIC) to meet the requirements of the family members of Maharaja of Mysuru province. KSIC is the only organisation in India where entire process, right from reeling of cocoons to the weaving of pure silk fabric of various shades and designs under one roof. KSIC uses 100 per cent pure gold zari.