The very mention of the word ‘Khadi’ is enough to conjure up images of India’s freedom struggle. Khadi became the symbol of the country’s struggle for independence 100 years back and is again at the forefront of leading India’s fight against Covid-19. Mahatma Gandhi firmly believed that khadi could make India self-reliant. In many ways, this resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for ‘Vocal for Local’ and the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
As India marked the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement on August 1, 2020 and National Handloom Day on August 7, 2020, Invest India presents an insight into India’s mammoth achievement of using Khadi to fight Covid-19 and save livelihood for many during the pandemic.
Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The agency has a mandate to attract and retain high quality investments into the country. Invest India houses the Strategic Investment Research Unit whose reports and publications reaches out to a wide audience including embassies, foreign missions, global investors and industry bodies across sectors.
Report launched
The report titled ‘Khadi Masks , Protecting Lives and Livelihoods during Covid-19’, authored by Mishika Nayyar and Remya Lakshmanan, was launched by Siddharth Nath Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Khadi & Village Industries Board, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The report was also presented to Chaudhary Udaybhan Singh, Hon’ble State Minister, Khadi & Village Industries Board, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Navneet Sehgal, Additional Chief Secretary, Khadi & Village Industries Board, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
As the caseload of coronavirus grew in India, it made people realize the importance of wearing masks as a pre-emptive measure to reduce the threat of community spread. In April 2020, the central government issued an order mandating wear of face masks for all, when stepping out of their homes.
Recognizing the sharp increase in demand for masks, several organizations began mass-manufacturing face masks of varying kinds. This presented a unique opportunity for KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) and several other Khadi producers to join forces and meet the rise in demand for face masks. Thus, a clean, green solution emerged to combat Covid-19 – Khadi masks.
In Uttar Pradesh alone, this initiative, which has provided a source of income to 600,000 women of SHGs who earned around INR 200 a day has been crucial in sustaining livelihoods during the lockdown. So far, around 5.7 million masks were manufactured and sold by the SHGs in the state, and the process continues pan-India.
Face masks have become ubiquitous worldwide following the outbreak of the coronavirus, creating a business opportunity for this sustainable fabric. Khadi has stood the test of time and has re-entered our lives when the country was facing an acute shortage of masks and other critical equipment like ventilators and personal protective equipment. Rooting for a revival in a skill that only India possesses, and a highly differentiated product that no other textile ecology in the world possesses, khadi is the way forward.
Readers can download their copy of the report by visiting https://static.investindia.gov.in/2020-07/Research%20paper%20on%20Khadi%20Mask%20v2.3.pdf
Key features of Khadi Masks:
- Cost-effective: The range of khadi masks starts from INR 5, making it easily affordable for people across segments.
- Breathable: The bio-degradable double-twisted khadi fabric is an ideal choice because it retains 70 per cent of the moisture content that allows air to pass easily, making the masks very comfortable.
- Washable: The khadi fabric can be easily washed and dries up faster.
- Reusable: Unlike the single-use masks, khadi masks can be washed several times, making it reusable.
- Bio-degradable: As khadi is a natural fabric, it decomposes quickly.