The Gandhigram Trust has launched natural dyed readymade dresses for men and women and dress materials for this Deepavali season. Besides, pure white khadi dhotis, shirts and dress materials are also on sale.
Launching khadi sale at Gandhigram, near here, on Monday, Trust Secretary K. Sivakumar said handloom was not only for nation but also for fashion. “Our aim is to take khadi products to the younger generation. We have engaged special designers to design shirts, kurtis and churidhars to attract young men and women to khadi.”
The khadi weaving and designing wing has introduced seven new designs of saris and eight of kurtis and churidhar, besides shirts for this festival season. They are completely carbon neutral, with no use of electricity in their production. According to a survey, one-twentieth of the total carbon produced in the country came from the textile sector. “The sales target for this year is ₹1 crore,” Mr. Sivakumar said.
The Trust has been giving special thrust to khadi production and sale. In order to boost produciton, the KVIC has sanctioned 24 worksheds for khadi weavers at an estimated cost of ₹14.6 lakh. It has been extending financial and technical support to khadi manufacturing and marketing. Exemption of GST for khadi will boost sale of products, he added.
Readymade shirts ranging from ₹350 to ₹600 and saris ranging from ₹1,900 to ₹2,600 and other materials are on display at its showroom in Gandhigram.
The Department of Khadi sold khadi products worth ₹87 lakh against a target of ₹75 lakh during the last Deepavali season in the district.
“The target for this year is ₹49 lakh. A 30% rebate is offered to khadi and polyester items and 20% for woollen products,” said Assistant Director for Khadi, Giri Iyyappan.
Khadi sale was inaugurated by Collector N. Venkatachalam in Theni town on Monday. “Last year, the Diwali sale was ₹20.05 lakh. We plan to sell for ₹28.54 lakh this year. About 30% rebate is offered for all khadi products. Loan facility is also provided to government staff to buy khadi products,” he said.
