New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to support local artisans and purchase indigenous products during the festive season has received a renewed response from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), with its Chairman, Manoj Goel, highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to employment and the rural economy.
In the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat, aired on October 25, 2026, the Prime Minister highlighted the rising sales of Khadi and village industry products and urged citizens to prioritise locally made goods during the festive season.
Responding to the address, Goel expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of artisans, weavers, craftspeople and rural entrepreneurs associated with the Khadi and Village Industries sector. He said the recognition had encouraged those working to strengthen indigenous production and rural livelihoods.
The sector recorded a turnover of more than ₹1.87 lakh crore in the financial year 2025–26, providing employment to over 2.04 crore people. KVIC has set its sights on a turnover target of ₹2.51 lakh crore.
Khadi and Village Industries Record ₹28 Crore in Single-Day Sales
A key highlight of the latest Mann Ki Baat episode was the Prime Minister’s reference to sales of Khadi and Village Industries products exceeding ₹28 crore in a single day on Gandhi Jayanti.
Modi also encouraged citizens to buy products made by local artisans during the upcoming festive season, reinforcing the message of Vocal for Local.
The appeal builds on earlier efforts to promote Khadi as both a traditional Indian textile and a source of livelihood for artisans and small producers.
Key figures from the Khadi and Village Industries sector
- Turnover in 2025–26: More than ₹1.87 lakh crore.
- Employment: Over 2.04 crore people.
- Single-day sales: More than ₹28 crore on Gandhi Jayanti, as cited in the PIB release.
- Turnover target: ₹2.51 lakh crore.
How ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Has Promoted Khadi Since 2014
KVIC Chairman Manoj Goel recalled that Modi’s appeal to purchase Khadi during the first episode of Mann Ki Baat, broadcast on October 3, 2014, helped bring renewed attention to the sector.
Following that appeal, the KVIC flagship outlet recorded substantial sales the next day, October 4, 2014, according to the PIB release.
The Prime Minister subsequently returned to the theme in several episodes, encouraging citizens to purchase Khadi and other indigenous products.
The release cites the following milestones at Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, New Delhi:
- October 2, 2022: Sales of ₹1.34 crore.
- October 2, 2023: Sales exceeding ₹1.52 crore.
- October 2, 2025: The public was again encouraged to purchase at least one Khadi product and take pride in its indigenous origin.
- Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Sales of Khadi and Village Industries products exceeded ₹28 crore in a single day, as highlighted in the latest Mann Ki Baat episode.
These figures illustrate the recurring focus on Khadi promotion through public appeals and festive-season purchasing campaigns.
From Traditional Textile to Rural Enterprise
Goel said Khadi and Village Industries had expanded beyond their traditional identity to become an important source of employment generation, women’s empowerment and rural economic activity.
The sector includes artisans, weavers, craftspeople and rural entrepreneurs whose livelihoods depend on locally produced goods and small-scale industries.
According to the KVIC Chairman, continued promotion of indigenous products has helped strengthen the sector’s place in India’s broader self-reliance agenda.
The initiative is also linked to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, which emphasises domestic production, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities within the country.
KVIC Focuses on Quality, Innovation and Young Consumers
Goel said KVIC would continue working towards the Prime Minister’s vision of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat, with an emphasis on product quality, innovation and greater engagement with younger consumers.
These priorities are intended to help Khadi and village industry products remain relevant to changing consumer preferences while sustaining livelihoods across rural India.
The sector’s turnover target of ₹2.51 lakh crore represents the next milestone in KVIC’s growth ambitions.
With the festive season providing an opportunity to promote locally made goods, the commission is seeking to build on public awareness and demand for Khadi and other village industry products.
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