Independence Day a hectic time at Kora Gramodhyog Kendra in Mumbai

As the nation commemorates its 61st Independence Day there is a huge demand for the national flags on its eve. The high demand turns Kora Gramodyog Kendra a busy place, meeting high demand for the tricolours.

By Milind Sagare

Mumbai, Aug.14 : As the nation commemorates its 61st Independence Day there is a huge demand for the national flags on its eve. The high demand turns Kora Gramodyog Kendra a busy place, meeting high demand for the tricolours.

Every year the demand touches a new high around the Independence Day August 15 and Republic Day (Jan.26). And, millions of national flags are demanded on these two national days across the country.

This year being the diamond jubilee year of country's Independence, the demand for the national flag is sky rocketing through out the country.

The Kora Gramodyog Kendra in Borivali is a part of the Mumbai Khadi Gramodhyog Sangh, and is dedicated to promoting the Gandhian ideal.

Located just off the Swami Vivekanand Road, opposite to the Kandivli flyover, over a sprawling 15 acre expanse, Kora Gramhyog Kendra (centre) is a quiet place.

It has cottages, originally designed by Chotubhai Kora, a Gandhian and an architect, located at a small distance from each other, amidst tall palms.

Each cottage is devoted to a Gramodyog activity such as a nursery, the Khadi Vastragaar, the Gandhi Darshan museum, the flag stitching department, the soap factory and the leather department.

A walk around the premises takes you to the flag department where the national flag is being stitched according to strict guidelines.

Shashikant Shah, the curator of the Gandhi Darshan museum and the oldest worker at the Kendra, says: "We are a recognised flag production unit and supply flags all over India and abroad."

Shah says: "We have been preparing flags for many years now. The flags are made out of pure Khadi on government orders. Mumbai Gramodyog has been actively doing it since decades. It includes various tasks such as colouring and printing of the flags. Their price is decided by the Government and we provide no rebate in them, whatsoever. Also we accept only cash payments."

Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, who has been in the business of flags for past 15 years, takes pride in being a part of this profession. He says it makes him feel a part of nationalism.

Earlier, Abdul Gaffar's father had started the tailoring business 45 years ago, which has now been expanded by Abdul.

Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, the flag tailor, says: "The time consumed in making one flag depends on the size of the cloth. A small-sized flag may take just an hour while a big one takes two hours. It all depends on the size of each flag."

The Independence Day also brings cheers on the faces of people on the roads. It earns them a good income through flags.

Krishna, a roadside flag seller, said: "We have been doing it for the past 10 years. We sell them for rupees 10 per flag and its going great during this time. Sometimes, we enjoy profit and at times we cannot. Today, we are doing it on the occasion of independence day."

The demands for flags rise during events of national interest and are available throughout the year. Many foreigners and NRIs also visit the Khadi Gramodyog Centre to buy the Indian National Flag.

Khadi Gramodyog is the cottage industry-oriented institution set up by the Central Government. Every year, it has to meet a demand to prepare millions of flags on the occasion of Independence Day. This year it's no different.

Founded on July 19, 1954, Khadi Gramodyog undertakes the task of manufacturing the national flag.

The flag, produced and marketed by Khadi Gramodyog, is made from hand woven cotton Khadi. The flags are available in two qualities- ST cloth, which is thin and DT cloth, which is thick.

The national flag is available in various sizes.

The large size of 14 X 21 feet is used at atop forts, ministry houses and other important places.

The flag measuring eight feet by 12 feet is used for flag hoisting at the District level. The 4 X 6 feet and the 3X 4 feet and half inches are largely used by housing co-operative societies, banks, organisations and educational institutions.

The flag measuring two feet by three feet is in great demand amongst the common public. The prices range at the Khadi Gramudhog varies from rupees 58 to rupees 7,267.

ANI