KVIC to set up design houses to modernise Khadi

Minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari announced the decision at a brainstorming session to discuss the modalities and way forward in this regard in New Delhi on Thursday.

KVIC, which functions under the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, is engaged in the promotion of traditional industries, including textiles and is considered a major source of employment, especially in the rural areas. 

Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said that in order to maximise the production and sale of Khadi and make it a global brand, there is a need to make its designs more trendy and modern, without compromising on tradition.

The session was attended by reputed designers, including RituBeri, Rohit Bal, JJ Valaya and Raghavendra Rathor, besides senior officials of the ministries of MSME, textile ministry, KVIC, National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Gadkari said there is a need to make khadi attractive for the youth of the country. The product designs should be aligned to customer choices and demand, and take into account the local and regional preferences and requirements like weather condition, local designs etc.

The proposed design houses will facilitate Khadi institutions in developing products according to market demand. The primary role of a design house will be to identify the latest design trends, adopt them as per customer needs and undertake various testing and review activities for translating them into production. Design house will help Khadi to gain customers’ trust and lead to increase in production and employment generation, it was noted.

Gadkari has asked the designers to send their ideas and suggestions in this regard to KVIC and ministry of MSME for further discussions.

KVIC’s proposal is to set up four design houses – one each in the eastern, western, northern, southern parts of the country, besides one in the north east. These could be on BOT mode or on outsourcing basis. However, these issues, would be worked out in further meetings and discussions.