In a significant push to protect India's heritage, a dedicated team of over 200 professionals has launched a vigorous campaign to support the sole manufacturer of certified Khadi national flags in Hubballi. This initiative comes as a direct response to a worrying decline in sales following a government amendment permitting polyester and machine-made flags.
A Tri-Pronged Strategy for a National Symbol
The 'Khadi National Flag Promotion Team', comprising volunteers from diverse fields, has adopted a three-action plan: awareness, advocacy, and aggressive marketing. Team convenor Santosh Nargund explained that their immediate goal is to boost sales ahead of Republic Day on January 26. To achieve this, they are actively approaching social organisations, influencers, corporate entities, and government agencies for bulk orders.
"The khadi national flag holds immense national and economic significance. Our mission is to transform its production into a sustainable and profitable venture," Nargund stated. The team recently visited the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) in Bengeri, Hubballi, to thoroughly study the traditional flag-making process and understand the challenges firsthand.
Long-Term Revival and a Clarion Call to Government
While the short-term focus is on Republic Day, the team's vision extends much further. Another convenor, Shivashankar Aiholi, outlined long-term objectives to revive the khadi flag market over the next six months to a year. Aiholi made a strong appeal to the Union government, urging it to withdraw the amendment that allowed polyester and machine-made flags.
He also called for clear directives from both central and state governments, mandating that all government agencies use only BIS-approved cotton khadi flags. "The current ambiguity in the amendment has led to confusion among many government bodies. We need a clear policy to protect this symbol of our independence," Aiholi asserted. The team has amplified its message on social media with the campaign hashtag #flykhaditricolour.
Grassroots Efforts and Surprise Over Policy Shift
The volunteer-driven movement is leveraging modern outreach methods. BBA student Yash Rajput has created a promotional video, while techie Nachiket Jamadar plans to produce a detailed documentary on the KKGSS's manufacturing process. These efforts aim to educate the public about the value of authentic khadi.
Expressing dismay over the policy change, Nargund questioned why KKGSS was not consulted before allowing polyester flags during the 75th Independence Day celebrations. He emphasized that the Hubballi unit is fully capable of meeting any quantity of demand for the authentic standard.
Shivanand Mathapati, Secretary of KKGSS, welcomed the team's intervention, stating it would support the livelihood of around 2,000 employees associated with the khadi body. "Khadi is inextricably linked to our independence struggle. If this industry fades, a major part of our history fades with it. We are heartened by this proactive initiative," Mathapati commented.
