High demand for Gandhi caps, khadi clothing this season

Customers looking at the tricolour at a khadi outlet on Dhanwantri Road in Mysore on the eve of Independence Day.

Khadi outlets in Mysore saw brisk sale of national flags on the eve of Independence Day celebrations.

The outlets have witnessed a spurt in the sale of the national tricolour, Gandhi caps and khadi clothing in the last few days with people gearing up to celebrate I-Day.

Vasudevaiah, manager of an outlet run by Khadi Gramodyoga Sahakara Sangha, Holenarsipur, one of the oldest khadi institutions in the State, told The Hindu that the sale of flags was brisk on Thursday.

‘Sold 700 flags’

“We sold around 700 flags on Thursday. Our branches in four locations too witnessed brisk sale of flags,” he informed. The outlet had received fresh stock of flags and caps to cater to the demand.

Flags of different sizes, particularly 2x3 ft, 3x4.5 ft and 4x6 ft, are usually in demand. Flags in 4x6 ft size are generally bought for the Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner of Police and other key government offices.

Educational institutions buy flags of 3x4.5 ft size, he said.

The flags supplied to the sangha’s outlets and other khadi stores come from the Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Federation, Bengeri, Hubli, and from a khadi institution in Garag near Hubli.

The National Flag Manufacturing Unit is located on the premises of the Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Federation in Hubli. The unit, authorised by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), produces the national tricolour as per the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The sangha has a khadi production unit at Holenarsipur in Hassan district and at Badanaval in Chamarajanagar district. Mahatma Gandhi visited the spinning and weaving unit at Badanaval, where more than 200 workers weave khadi by hand.

Khadi clothing

Khadi clothing such as kurtas, shirts and waistcoats has found acceptance even among the youth. White linen khadi is most sought after.

“Our store alone sells khadi products, including flags, worth Rs. 75,000 daily. Handspun and handwoven Gandhi caps are in much demand,” he said.

Jagadish, who runs the 75-year-old Tirupur Khadi Store near Lansdowne Building, said that sale of national flags has picked up. “We sell around 50 flags daily,” he said.

Shops in Shivarampet are selling metal pins of the national flag, wristbands and stickers.