New Khadi, New India: A clear showcase
At the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, the Khadi India Pavilion in Hall No. 6 has emerged as a major attraction, presenting a modern, market-ready face of Khadi and village industries. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has assembled 150 stalls that bring together artisans, PMEGP entrepreneurs and SFURTI cluster members from across India.
KVIC leadership engages with artisans
KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar visited the pavilion on November 21 and interacted with artisans, entrepreneurs and cluster representatives. He inspected product lines and live demonstrations — from traditional charkhas and the peti charkha to electric pottery wheels and ghani-based oil extraction — praising the blend of heritage and innovation.
The chairman encouraged participants to support government initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local, emphasising Khadi’s role in rural livelihoods and India’s self-reliant growth story.
Products and regional diversity
The pavilion presents a wide range of items: contemporary Khadi textiles, organic cosmetics, rural foods, bamboo and cane crafts and speciality products from Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and the North East.
PMEGP and SFURTI entrepreneurs showcased success stories that reflect improved market access and value addition — helping transition Khadi from a cottage-industry image to a viable, aspirational brand.
“Baat Khadi Ki” — artisans tell their stories
A highlight at the pavilion is the podcast studio ‘Baat Khadi Ki’, where artisans share their journeys and innovations in their own voices. KVIC says this initiative aims to connect younger audiences with traditional crafts and build narrative value around products.
Why this matters for rural India
Khadi and village industries remain important sources of rural employment. Live demonstrations at IITF underline both the cultural value and the commercial potential of decentralised manufacturing, while newer product lines signal changing consumer tastes.
With direct government support through programmes such as PMEGP and grants for SFURTI clusters, artisans are increasingly equipped to scale up production, adopt technology and access national and international markets.
What visitors can expect
Visitors to Hall No. 6 can explore 150 curated stalls, watch live craft demonstrations, listen to artisan podcasts and shop contemporary Khadi designs. The Pavilion is designed to be experiential — combining demonstrations, storytelling and retail under one roof.
