Khadi sector must adopt new marketing policies

Kannur, May 23: The Khadi industry should emulate the market building strategies, catering to changing fashions, of big textitle companies with the help of media propaganda to boost sales and popularise the material, Kerala Governor R L Bhatia has said.

Laying the foundation stone for the Golden Jubilee building of Payyanur Khadi centre in Kannur district, he said Khadi industry has to be activated through strategic intervention as envisaged in the regeneration of traditional industries scheme. Khadi is the sympbol of self-reliance and was promoted and propagated by Gandhiji during the freedom struggle. Khadi symbolised the comprehensive development of rural India, he said, adding it was the "route to national prosperity".

Lauding the efforts of Kerala Khadi Board, he said it has been promoting Khadi industries in rural areas.

The Board has focussed on creation of employement by extending financial assistance to Khadi etrepreneurs, enabling them to manage and run units by themselves.

It is indeed commendable that the Board has so far promoted more than 26,000 Khadi units, he said.

Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem said the state government would allow a subsidy for khadi uniforms to school students for 15 days in this new academy year.

UNI