Big Boost To Swadeshi Industry: Indian Red Cross Society To Buy 1.80 Lakh Khadi Face Masks From KVIC

As the popularity of the Khadi face masks grows across the country due to its fine quality and affordable price, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has received a prestigious purchase order from Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) to supply 1.80 lakh face masks, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises said in a statement on Thursday (30 July).

The face masks, which will be supplied to the IRCS from next month, will be made of 100 per cent double-twisted handcrafted cotton fabric in brown colour with red piping, according to the KVIC.

KVIC has especially designed these double-layered cotton masks for the Indian Red Cross Society as per the samples provided by them. The mask will have suitably printed IRCS logo on the left side and the Khadi India tag on the right side.

The ministry said that execution of the order will require over 20,000 m of fabric which will generate 9000 additional man days for the Khadi artisans.

Welcoming the order from the IRCS, KVIC chairman Vinay Saxena said that the massive demand of Khadi face masks is a major step in the direction of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

“This order will help our Khadi artisans to produce more yarn and fabric and will further add to their income in these difficult times,” Saxena said.

KVIC has so far sold over 10 lakh face masks which include double layered cotton masks and triple-layered silk masks. KVIC's customers include J&K government, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), and Central government ministries. Besides, the general public is also buying the Khadi masks through KVIC's e-portal.