International Yoga Day Brings Record Sales and Joy to Khadi Artisans

New Delhi: This year’s International Yoga Day brought unprecedented happiness to lakhs of Khadi artisans in rural India. On June 21st, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), reported record-breaking sales of 1,09,022 yoga mats and 63,700 yoga dresses, amounting to Rs 8,67,87,380. These sales were made to various government departments through 55 Khadi institutions across the country.

KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar attributed this success to the ‘brand power’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has significantly boosted the popularity of both yoga and Khadi. “It is a matter of joy for the Khadi family that this time there has been a record-breaking sale of special yoga clothes and mats made by our Khadi artisans,” Kumar said. He highlighted the pride felt by Khadi artisans, especially as Prime Minister Modi performed yoga in Srinagar and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah practiced yoga in Ahmedabad wearing Khadi yoga clothes.

Kumar emphasized the health and environmental benefits of Khadi yoga apparel and mats, noting their chemical-free production and minimal water usage. He stated, “The sale of Khadi yoga clothes and mats on the special occasion of International Yoga Day is a symbol of the Government of India’s determination to conserve its heritage Khadi as well as to protect the environment.” This aligns with the Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiatives, promoting local products and self-reliance.

According to KVIC’s data, special Khadi yoga kurtas (in T-shirt style) were prepared on the Ministry of AYUSH’s demand, specifically designed for the youth. KVIC’s Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, Delhi, supplied 50,000 yoga mats and 50,000 yoga dresses to the Ministry of AYUSH, including 300 premium quality mats. Additionally, 25,000 Khadi yoga mats and clothes were supplied in Srinagar and 10,000 in Ahmedabad, where thousands practiced yoga under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Beyond the Ministry of AYUSH, KVIC also supplied Khadi yoga products to the Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute, National Ayurveda Institute in Jaipur and Panchkula, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), ONGC, and NALCO. The sales figures included Rs 3,86,65,900 for Khadi yoga clothes and Rs 4,81,21,480 for mats. To meet the high demand, KVIC coordinated with 55 Khadi institutions in Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi, providing additional wages and employment opportunities for spinners, weavers, and Khadi workers.