Nitin Gadkari launches Khadi Footwear
On 21st October 2020, Union Minister for MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first-ever high quality Khadi Footwear, designed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). These footwear are made of Khadi fabric like Silk, Cotton and Wool. The size of Indian footwear industry is approx Rs 50,000 crore which includes exports worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore. With Khadi fabric foot wear, Government’s initial target is to capture at least 2% of this Industry that is estimated to be around Rs 1000 crore.
Khadi Footwear
Khadi Footwear has high potential of capturing the international market, which can create additional employment and generate higher income for artisans. These footwear are made using fine fabric like Patola Silk, Banarasi Silk, Cotton, Denim. The footwear is not only environment-friendly and skin-friendly but are also cost-effective. Footwear price ranges from Rs 1100 to Rs 3300 per pair.
To begin with, the footwear have been launched in 15 designs for ladies and 10 designs for men. Exquisite Khadi products like Patola Silk of Gujarat, Banarasi Silk, Madhubani-printed Silk of Bihar, Khadi Denim, Tussar Silk, Matka – Katia Silk, a variety of Cotton fabric, Tweed Wool and Khadi Poly Vastra have been used to make these footwear unique and trendy. These footwear are available in a wide range of designs, colors and prints, these footwear have been designed to suit clothing for all purposes – formal, casual and festive occasions.
Earlier, KVIC had successfully launched its first-ever Khadi wrist watch in association with Titan which has been a trend-setter.