Lok Sabha Question No. 3197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-04
Subject: Centre of Excellence for Khadi
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3197 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2022

## CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR KHADI

## 3197. SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  functioning  of  Centre  of  Excellence  for  Khadi  (CoEK)  is  yielding  any impressive  results  in  harnessing  the  domestic  and  international  market  for  Khadi  since  its formation;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  the  measures  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  to  strengthen  khadi  institutions working across the country under CoEK; and
- (d) the total funds allocated and released so far for the above said major industries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA)

(a) to (c): The  Government  of  India,  through  the  Khadi  and  Village  Industries  Commission (KVIC),  is  establishing  a  Centre  of  Excellence  for  Khadi  (CoEK)  with  the  technical  support  of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi at NIFT Delhi (Hub Centre) and its four  spokes  at  Gandhinagar,  Kolkata,  Shillong  and  Bengaluru,  to  help  Khadi  Institutions  to effectively design, produce and market high quality differentiated Khadi products in the Indian and global market. Under the project, CoEK has created a Knowledge Portal for Khadi in which designs and specifications with sketches are uploaded for viewing by Khadi Institutions for replication.

The objectives of the project are:

- i) Creation of new fabrics/ products based on season-wise colour forecast/fashion trends.
2. ii) Disseminate  quality  standards  for  Khadi  fabrics  and  clothing  for  high  end  domestic  and global market.
3. iii) Branding and publicity by creating interesting narratives around the new Khadi fabrics and products.
4. iv) Create visual merchandising and packaging for new Khadi products.
- v) Increase the global reach of Khadi by organizing or participating in Khadi Fashion shows and exhibitions.

The details of the measures taken under CoEK to strengthen Khadi institutions working across the country are at Annexure.

(d): The  Ministry  has  sanctioned  an  amount  of  Rs.20.00  crore  for  establishing  the  Centre  of Excellence for Khadi, out of which Rs. 15.00 crore has been released.

* * * * *

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3197 for answer on 04.08.2022

The details of the measures taken under CoEK to strengthen Khadi institutions working across the country are as follows:

1. CoEK  teams  carried  out  detailed  diagnostic  reports  by  visiting  more  than  20  Khadi Institutions  to  understand  their  processes  of  spinning,  weaving,  processing,  value  addition, sales, marketing etc. The gaps were identified and the unique selling proposition, as well as the potential of the KIs was understood.
2. Keeping in view the mandate of the project, the team started the design process by selecting the  existing  fabrics  in  the  stocks  of  KI  and,  based  on  their  industry  experience,  decided  to design for young clients, keeping in view the weight, drape and colours. The design team at CoEK  did  intensive  research  on  the  forecast,  market  survey,  brand  study,  and  silhouette rationalization  to  analyze  the  market  trends.  Each  team  deliberated  and  presented  their research, themes, designs and silhouettes before finalizing their design brief, which defined the target clientele, age group, and looks. The collections were planned, keeping in mind the capacity of the KIs.  The process included sketches, test fits, iterations and finally, sampling. After the samples were approved, specification and cost sheets were prepared to be shared with KIs.
3. CoEK  team  designed  8  collections  comprising  of  48  Ensembles,  4  collections  of  home fashion (36 Products), 91 designs for yardages and 24 Sarees in six months duration.
4. CoEK  has  participated  in  Fashion  Shows  organized  at  the  National  Institute  of  Fashion Technology  (NIFT),  New  Moti  Bagh  and  CAG  office  to  showcase  the  designs  and  get feedback on the collections.
5. An  Influencer  meet  was  organized  by  M/o  Culture  in  collaboration  with  NIFT,  in  which renowned industry  stake  holders  such  content  creators,  designers  and  stylists  were  invited. CoEK  organized  a  hand  spinning  workshop  and  demonstration  for  the  participants,  an impromptu run way walk to give an experience of Khadi. A panel discussion titled 'Khadi- A fabric  that  weaved  India's  Independence'  was  moderated  by  the  Director-CoEK,  in  which designers took part.
6. CoEK  introduced  'Svadha'  wellness  collection  in  Khadi  for  pan  generation  consumers  to showcase the versatility of Khadi on International Yoga Day on 21 st June, 2022.
7. All 8 collections of apparel, home and sarees have been documented as Design Catalogues/ look books, and have been shared with selected KIs online.  The KIs have been approached to initiate the process of production of the designs. The CoEK team has offered to hand hold in production by trouble shooting during the process.
8. Under the project, CoEK team has created a Knowledge Portal for Khadi which was launched on 14.07.2022, in which design directions and forecast for colours, trends, silhouettes, print, weave and embroidery ideas have been presented for Khadi Institutions. The Size charts are also shared on the portal for viewing by stakeholders, for replication.
9. 5S implementation in 5 Khadi Institutions was organized. This is based on Japanese Kaizen technique  of  sorting  out  the  inventory  and  workspace  in  order  to  make  effective  and organized production.
10. Training  workshops  on  quality  standards,  defect  identification  and  heir  rectification  and effective techniques of fabric cutting were conducted in two KIs.
11. Natural dyeing workshops have been conducted in the NER.
12. Women weavers of Chullyu, Arunachal Pradesh were given two months training in weaving and natural dyeing. They are now fully trained to weave home products.