Government mulls opening KVIC outlets at airports

The government is serious about promoting khadi in a big way. After Air India crew flying Air India One were given khadi uniforms, it is now the turn of tourism ministry to use the fabric in its various ITDC hotels. The ministry of thinking of using towels, curtains, sofa covers, handwash and shampoo in some of the hotels run under the ITDC brand.

There are plans to open KVIC outlets at various airports across the country. The ITDC, a public sector unit under tourism ministry, runs 16 hotels in the country including three in Delhi and the rest in Jammu, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Patna, Bhopal, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Guwahati, Puducherry, Mysuru and Itanagar. BJP president Amit Shah had recently directed the tourism and culture minister Mahesh Sharma to ensure appropriate measures for maximum use of khadi in various organisations under his ministry. Shah also attached a letter to KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena who urged Sharma to promote khadi through his ministries.

During a recent official trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Belgium and the US, the cabin crew operating Air India One donned khadi uniforms. KVIC manufactures a wide variety of products including readymade garments, home furnishings, personal care items, food and leather products.