Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : The Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) felt its presence at Bharat Tex 2025, making a significant impact, showcasing the versatility, sustainability, and contemporary appeal of Khadi fabric. As a unique initiative under the Ministry of MSME, in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), CoEK is committed to uplifting Khadi institutions and strengthening the Khadi sector through innovation, design, marketing, and capacity building.
The Ministry of MSME has set up the Center of Excellence for Khadi at NIFT to address the needs of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in India. The Center is a hub-and-spokes model, with a hub in Delhi and spokes in Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Panchkula. This expansive presence enables CoEK to work closely with grassroots Khadi Institutions, fostering skill development, technical expertise, and market readiness among artisans.
The objective is to help Khadi Institutions effectively design, produce, and market high-quality differentiated Khadi products in the Indian and global markets. It is a Center for experimentation, innovation, and design for khadi fabrics, apparel, accessories, and home fashions.
The Centre of Excellence for Khadi aims to elevate Khadi’s global presence by developing new fabrics and products aligned with seasonal color forecasts and fashion trends. It sets quality standards for high-end domestic and international markets while crafting compelling narratives around these innovations to strengthen branding and publicity. The Centre focuses on visual merchandising. packaging, and expanding Khadi’s reach through fashion shows and exhibitions. It also serves as a catalyst for small-scale production of selected designs for retail at Khadi Bhawans, addresses gaps through capacity-building programs for Khadi institutions, and assists KVIC in designing and curating Khadi stores to enhance customer experience.
A key aspect of CoEK’s mission is to empower women spinners and artisans, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for those engaged in Khadi production. Through strategic collaborations with Khadi Institutions (KIs), CoEK is actively involved in developing high-quality, differentiated Khadi products that cater to both premium domestic and international markets.
At Bharat Tex 2025, CoEK presented an exclusive range of new-age Khadi fabrics and apparel, demonstrating how Khadi continues to evolve while staying true to its core values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and empowerment. The showcase highlights how Khadi, a fabric deeply rooted in Indian heritage, is also a modern textile, offering year-round comfort—cool in summers and warm in winters.
Beyond product innovation, CoEK is also transforming the Khadi India brand through the revitalization of Khadi India stores, aligning them with global retail trends and enhancing their aspirational value. This strategic initiative is positioning Khadi as a contemporary textile of choice for discerning consumers worldwide.
CoEK invited visitors, industry stakeholders, and global buyers to explore the new frontiers of Khadi innovation at Bharat Tex 2025. Attendees witnessed firsthand how this timeless fabric was being reimagined for modern lifestyles while upholding the essence of sustainability and artisanal excellence, and have received good responses from them.
Overall Khadi Pavilion for its cultural richness and educational value. They appreciated its focus on the craftsmanship and historical significance of handspun fabric, as well as its modern, interactive approach to showcasing India’s textile heritage. The pavilion’s display of Khadi in contemporary fashion was particularly praised, especially by younger visitors who found it inspiring and developed a greater appreciation for sustainable fashion, pavilion set by the Center of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) was a center of attraction among the youth.
During a conversation with the person manning the pavilion, she shed light on the impactful work of Khadi and the village industry. She commended efforts to promote sustainability and underscored the significant role Khadi plays in uplifting the community. Some key points she highlighted include:
Sustainable Materials: Khadi utilizes cotton off-cuts from T-shirts, recycled jute, and residual fibers from banana leaves and sugarcane, reducing deforestation.
Cotton Off-Cuts from T-Shirts: Khadi takes leftover pieces of cotton fabric from the manufacturing of T-shirts, which would otherwise be discarded as waste. By repurposing these off-cuts, Khadi reduces the need for new cotton production, which, in turn, helps lower the demand for resources such as water, pesticides, and land.
Recycled Jute: Jute is a long, soft, and shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. By using recycled jute, Khadi minimizes the environmental footprint associated with jute cultivation, including land use and water consumption. Recycled jute also helps prevent waste by giving new life to discarded jute products.
Residual Fibers from Banana Leaves: Banana plants produce large leaves, and the fibers extracted from these leaves can be utilized in various products. Khadi harnesses these residual fibers, which are a byproduct of the banana industry. This practice not only reduces waste but also provides an additional source of income for banana farmers.
Residual Fibers from Sugarcane: Similar to banana leaves, sugarcane plants produce fibrous residues after the extraction of juice. These fibers can be repurposed to create sustainable products. By incorporating sugarcane fibers, Khadi reduces agricultural waste and supports a circular economy.
By using these materials, Khadi significantly cuts down on deforestation and lessens the environmental impact of its production processes. This approach promotes a sustainable, eco-friendly, and socially responsible model that benefits both the environment and local communities.
Next, Water Conservation: The water for papermaking is sourced from bore wells and captured rainwater, which is then recycled to minimize waste.
Chemical-Free Production: The production process does not involve harmful chemicals, including chlorine and bleach, ensuring that the runoff remains pH-neutral and safe for irrigation.
Solar Energy: Khadi is in the process of installing solar panels on factory roofs to power its operations with renewable energy.
Supporting Local Communities: Initiatives such as WaterAid projects and tree-planting camps aim to enhance water access, sanitation, and reforestation efforts.
She praised efforts to promote sustainability and highlighted Khadi’s significant role in uplifting the community. Collectively, these measures contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly production process.
Out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, handloom and khadi sectors fulfill 12 SDGs directly and indirectly and also contribute to the visions of the Honorable Prime Minister for ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘5 F or Farm to Foreign’. The handlooms in India can create thousands of distinctive regional weaves and patterns that no mill or power loom can replicate.
Khadi uses an indigenous small staple that is only possible to be handspun and cannot be made into yarn on a mill. Right inputs and directions for promoting these textiles, as a unique knowledge system, rather than an outdated and irrelevant one, can once again make Indian Textiles a global economic force, and a continuing part of our identity and hope.
Khadi and handloom textiles have always been symbols of India’s rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and self-reliance. However, in today’s fast-paced world, traditional textiles must evolve to remain relevant to modern consumers. This showcase aims to bridge the gap between heritage and contemporary fashion by showcasing innovative, stylish, and sustainable khadi and handloom products. The primary goal is to highlight how khadi and handlooms can be integrated into modern lifestyles while promoting sustainable fashion, empowering artisans, and creating awareness about India’s textile legacy.
During his visit to Bharat Tex2025, The Hon’ble Prime Minister praised the “अप्रतिम” Celebrating handwoven textiles of India stall, which celebrates the rich heritage of handwoven textiles in India. Indian handmade textiles are not only a testament to traditional craftsmanship and exceptional technical know-how but also represent the largest source of livelihood after agriculture.
Handlooms and Khadi share similar strengths and challenges. These unique textiles require a resurgence and revival through:
-Product Development: Innovating and improving textile products to meet modern consumer demands.
-Capacity Building of Producer Groups: Empowering artisans and weavers with the skills and resources needed to enhance their production capabilities.
– Strong Marketing through Branding and Communication: Creating and promoting a strong brand identity for these textiles to attract consumers both domestically and internationally.
– Push into Global Markets: Expanding the reach of Indian handwoven textiles to global markets, tapping into a wider audience.
Building a new narrative through a transparent value chain, sharing the story of their making and sustainability, and ensuring quality and standards in production will rejuvenate both handlooms and Khadi. This approach will help these traditional textiles thrive in the modern world while preserving their cultural significance.
Read : 21 February : সাশ্রয় নিউজ ভাষা দিবস সংখ্যা | একুশে ফেব্রুয়ারি | ২১ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০২৪
