Revealed! 'Make In India' logo not made in India

New Delhi, Jan 14: Modi Government's ambitious and much-hyped initiative Make In India's logo, aimed at projecting India as a manufacturing hub, has been designed by an Indian arm of foreign firm, an RTI query has revealed.

As per a TOI report, while replying to query by a Madhya Pradesh-based activist, Chandra Shekhar Gaur, Union commerce and industry ministry replied, "No tenders were invited for designing Make In India logo.

In 2014-15, tenders were invited by the ministry for appointing a creative agency. And on its basis, Weiden+Kennedy India Limited, was chosen. And it's this company which designed the logo for Make In India".

Founded in Portland, Oregon, Wieden+Kennedy is one of the largest independently owned advertising agencies. It has offices based in Amsterdam, Beijing, London, New York, Portland, Shanghai, Tokyo and India.

The activist also sought information on total payment made for the creation of the Make In India logo, but the ministry said in its reply - No separate payment was made for creating the logo.

Replying to another query by Gaur, the ministry informed that Weiden+Kennedy India Limited was hired for Rs 11 crore for advertising and promotion of Make In India, campaign, for 3 years - Rs 4.32 crore for financial year 2014-15, Rs 3.6 crore each for 2015-16 & 2016-17, said the reply in last week of December, added the report.

PM Narendra Modi launched his ambitious 'Make in India' programme on Sept 24, 2014.

The first of its kind initiative aims at transforming India into a global manufacturing hub by inviting investors through a string of measures including easier norms and rules.

OneIndia News