KVIB will tie up with NIFT for design studio in Odisha

With khadi gaining popularity among the youth, the Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB), Odisha, plans to rope

in National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, to set up a design studio. The studio will work on churning out garments and product designs in tune with contemporary fashion trends and demand. The designs would be incorporated by khadi enterprises and weavers in the garments which would be promoted through Khadi Gramudyog stores and outlets.

The Khadi Board has proposed to expand its outlets across Odisha. It is set to open five exclusive retail counters in Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Angul soon with Puri, Konark, Paradip, Kendrapara and Balangir to follow. It is also working with the Airports Authority of India for opening a modern Khadi Gramudyog store with specific focus on khadi fashion products at the Biju Patnaik international airport. The objective is to boost domestic enterprise by not only churning out products according to modern trends and preferences but also develop Odisha khadi as a brand.

Khadi output in the state has failed to pick up over the years, thanks to an absolute lack of direction, promotion and marketing support. At present, there are only six functional societies of around 40 registered entities. Efforts are on to revive the defunct ones as well as push khadi enterprises through a cluster approach backed by adequate design and marketing support.