Dilip Guha, New Delhi : Ponduru Khadi of Andhra Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone by receiving the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, granting it global recognition and enhanced market access through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The registration has been granted in favour of KVIC by the Geographical Indications Registry. Welcoming the development, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, stating that the GI tag is a matter of pride for the entire Khadi sector. He said the recognition not only safeguards the authenticity of this rare hand-woven fabric but also honours the generations of artisans who have preserved its legacy. He attributed the achievement to the Prime Minister’s vision of promoting indigenous products through initiatives such as ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, which have revitalised traditional crafts and empowered artisans across the country.
Expressing his contentment, he stated that KVIC is continually striving to garner global recognition for Ponduru Khadi.
He opined that granting the GI tag to Ponduru Khadi is a matter of pride for the Khadi sector. This not only protects the authenticity of this rare hand-woven fabric but also honours the contribution of the artisans who have preserved this tradition for generations.
Explaining the cultural and historical significance of the fabric, Shri Manoj Kumar said Ponduru Khadi—locally known as Patnulu—is produced in Ponduru village of Srikakulam district using locally grown hill cotton, Punasa cotton and red cotton. The entire process, from cleaning and spinning to weaving, is carried out manually, preserving centuries-old skills. A unique feature of Ponduru Khadi is the use of the jawbone of the Valuga fish for cleaning cotton, a practice found nowhere else in the world. Known for its exceptionally fine yarn count of 100–120, the fabric had even earned praise from Mahatma Gandhi nearly a century ago for its finesse and craftsmanship. The KVIC Chairman announced that artisans associated with Ponduru Khadi will be felicitated soon in a special programme to honour outstanding spinners and weavers. On this occasion, he said, “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Khadi is becoming a powerful medium for the preservation and promotion of the country’s invaluable cultural heritage, in line with the resolution of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
He added that the GI tag will provide legal protection against counterfeit products, ensure fair value for artisans’ labour, boost incomes, and create new employment opportunities, while reinforcing Khadi’s enduring relevance from the Gandhian era to modern-day India.
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The GI tag will not only give Ponduru Khadi recognition at the national level but also internationally, thereby increasing artisans’ income and creating new employment opportunities.
KVIC Chairman said: “The GI tag will not only give Ponduru Khadi recognition at the national level but also internationally, which will increase the income of the artisans and create new employment opportunities. Ponduru Khadi is deeply associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi ideology. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Khadi has presently become a fashion statement and a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat – showcasing the ideological continuity from the Gandhi era to the Modi era.
Picture courtesy: Khadi and Village Industries Commission
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India
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