By — Shyamal Sinha
Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a statement released to the media on Friday for granting the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the famous Ponduru Khadi of Andhra Pradesh. He informed that Ponduru Khadi has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This registration has been done in favour of KVIC by the Geographical Indications Registry. Expressing his contentment, he said that KVIC is continuously striving to give global recognition to Ponduru Khadi.
He opined that granting the GI tag to Ponduru Khadi is a matter of pride for the Khadi sector. This not only protects the authenticity of this rare hand-woven fabric but also honours the contribution of the artisans who have preserved this tradition for generations. He further reiterated that this achievement is a direct result of the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his continuous efforts to give global recognition to Khadi. Campaigns like ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ have infused new energy and reverence into traditional artisans.
Chairman KVIC said, “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Khadi is becoming a powerful medium for the preservation and promotion of the country’s invaluable cultural heritage, in line with the resolution of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
He announced that the artisans of Ponduru Khadi will be felicitated soon. A special program will be organised for this purpose, in which the best-performing spinners and weavers will be honoured.
KVIC Chairman elucidated that Ponduru Khadi is a traditional hand-woven cotton fabric produced in Ponduru village of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, which is locally known as Patnulu. This fabric is made from Hill cotton, Punasa cotton, and Red cotton, which are grown in the same region. The entire process of cleaning, spinning, and weaving the cotton is done by hand, thus preserving centuries-old traditional skills. Its most distinctive feature is the use of the jawbone of the Valuga fish for cleaning the cotton, a practice found nowhere else in the world. He further added that Ponduru Khadi is known for its extremely high yarn count, approximately 100–120, which reflects its exceptionally fine quality.
Once A century ago, Mahatma Gandhi had applauded the finesse and exquisite craftsmanship of Ponduru Khadi. KVIC will soon felicitate the Khadi institutions and artisans associated with the production of Ponduru Khadi
On this occasion, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said:
“The GI tag will not only give Ponduru Khadi recognition at the national level but also internationally, which will increase the income of the artisans and create new employment opportunities. Ponduru Khadi is deeply associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi ideology. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Khadi has presently become a fashion statement and a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat – showcasing the ideological continuity from the Gandhi era to the Modi era.
He opined that after receiving the GI tag, Ponduru Khadi will now receive legal protection against counterfeit products, which will guarantee pure and authentic products to consumers and ensure fair value for the artisans’ labour”
