Shri Manoj Goel, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India—expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. In the 139th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, the Prime Minister highlighted the rising sales of Khadi and village industry products and urged citizens to prioritize products made by local artisans during the upcoming festive season. Shri Goel stated that this reassurance from the Prime Minister serves as a source of honour, motivation, and infused energy for the millions of artisans, weavers, crafts men and rural entrepreneurs across the country who are associated with the Khadi and Village Industries sector.
Shri Goel said that due to the continuous inspiration of Khadi and village industries by the Prime Minister, this sector has gone beyond its traditional identity and has become an important source of employment generation, women empowerment, strengthening of rural economy and building a self-reliant India. With the inspiration of the Prime Minister, Khadi today has become the cultural heritage of the country as well as the self-confidence of modern India. It has emerged as a symbol of the spirit of *Swadeshi* (indigenous) and economic empowerment.
Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Goel said, "The mention of Khadi and Village Industries in today’s episode—which coincides with the completion of 12 years of 'Mann Ki Baat'—is a moment of immense pride for us. It was from this very platform, on October 3, 2014, that the Prime Minister gave a call to purchase Khadi, thereby bestowing a new identity upon it. Since then, he has consistently encouraged purchase of Khadi and *Swadeshi* products. By highlighting that sales exceeded Rs 28 crore in a single day on Gandhi Jayanti, he has significantly boosted the morale of millions of Khadi artisans, especially women. KVIC and all Khadi artisans across the country are deeply grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister. We pledge to further strengthen his vision of 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) through a focus on quality, innovation, and by engaging the younger generation." This episode was particularly significant as it marked the completion of 12 years of the 'Mann Ki Baat' program, which first began on October 3, 2014, on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
Shri Goel recalled that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has, on several occasions through 'Mann Ki Baat', discussed the achievements of Khadi and appealed to the citizens of the country to purchase Khadi products. Following the appeal made in the very first episode on October 3, 2014—coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti—to buy at least one Khadi product, a record volume of sales was registered at the KVIC’s flagship outlet the very next day, on October 4, 2014. Subsequently, following similar appeals made on September 26, 2021 (in the 81st episode), September 25, 2022, and September 24, 2023, the Khadi Bhawan located at Connaught Place witnessed significant record sales of Rs. 1.34 crore on 2nd October in 2022, followed by over Rs 1.52 crore on October 2, 2023. In the 126th episode aired on September 28, 2025, the Prime Minister urged citizens to purchase at least one Khadi product on October 2 and take pride in its indigenous origin. Subsequently, in the 139th episode aired on October 25, 2026, he highlighted that sales of Khadi and Village Industries products had exceeded Rs 28 crore in a single day—on Gandhi Jayanti—and appealed to the public to buy local products during the festive season.
KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Goel opined that, as a result of the visionary thinking and policies of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Khadi and Village Industries sector has witnessed unprecedented growth. In the 2025-26 financial year, the turnover of this sector surpassed Rs 1.87 lakh crore, while providing employment to over 2.04 crore people. He assured that, in the near future, the sector would also reach its turnover target of Rs 2.51 lakh crore.