With the aim of popularising khadi clothes and fabric among a wider section apart from politicians, the Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board is making forays into medical and health sectors. The doctors, nurses, medical and paramedical students and health workers in the State will now don khadi overcoats made by KKVIB.

The Director of Medical Education has instructed the principals of all Government medical, nursing and dental colleges to buy khadi overcoats. This has been already implemented by the medical colleges at Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kannur and also the hospitals at the district and taluk levels.

What is heartening is that new students admitted to the medical stream have welcomed this and responded very positively. Many said that khadi was the ideal fabric suitable for Kerala’s weather.

The Board has also taken steps to modernise the products and improve its quality. To make their products fashionable and contemporary, the Board has roped in Kerala Institute of Fashion Design whose students will join Khadi showrooms and help in designing of garments.

It has signed a MoU with the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services Department which will allow them to skill inmates of the jails in production of readymade garment, apiculture, weaving and spinning, and other village industries. The products made by them will be sold through the Board outlets.

The Board has also approached other Government departments for promotion of khadi. The State Government has also relaxed rules of purchase to allow departments to buy products from the Board.

An array of products will now be made and sold by the Board, including coconut oil, arrowroot powder, cosmetic products, detergents, traditional body massage oils and food products. This will help the village industries enabling them to compete with corporate sector.

The Board has also started laundry service for politicians who are the largest users of their garments.