How is Nanded Contributing to India's Tricolour Legacy?

Nanded, Aug 14 (NationPress) As India prepares to honor its 79th Independence Day, one modest city in Maharashtra is playing a significant role in the nation's patriotic endeavors. Nanded, the home of the Marathwada Khadi Gramodyog Samiti, is among the few official centers in India where the national flag – the Tiranga (Tricolour) – is crafted in accordance with strict government regulations. From humble village workshops to the esteemed Red Fort in Delhi, these flags are displayed with pride throughout the nation.

The origins of this special duty date back to 1965, when freedom fighter Govindbhai Shroff and visionary leader Swami Ramanand Teerth established the Khadi Gramodyog in Nanded. Since that time, the organization has evolved into a pillar of local employment and national pride.

As per office superintendent Gyanoba Solanke, the process of flag production is both meticulous and labor-intensive, beginning months ahead of time. It starts with untreated khadi cloth, which is dispatched to the BMC Mill in Ahmedabad, a government-sanctioned facility, for weaving in the three colors of the national flag.

Following rigorous quality evaluations based on the standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the flags are returned for the screen printing of the Ashoka Chakra, cutting, and stitching.

A distinctive element of the manufacturing procedure is the special 'Gardi' rope utilized to secure the flags. This rope is crafted from a mixture of woods such as turmeric, teak, sal, and rosewood, sourced from Mumbai. The entire production cycle requires a minimum of two months, necessitating early planning.

In an interview with IANS, Mahabaleshwar Mathpati, the manager of the Nanded manufacturing unit, provided valuable insights:

"Our organization began in 1962, and we have been producing the national flag since 1993. The central government supplies the cotton. Our branch in Udgir, Latur, employs 250 spinners and weavers to create the fabric. This fabric is then transported to Gujarat for dyeing and bleaching, before being sent back to Nanded for printing and stitching."

So far this year, over 10,000 national flags of various dimensions have been produced at the Nanded unit. As of August 8, flags worth Rs 50 lakh have already been sold, and the unit is projected to exceed a turnover of Rs 1.5 crore this year. Demand escalates annually as Independence Day and Republic Day approach.

Flag sizes vary depending on their designated use. The largest flag, measuring 14x21 feet, is displayed on government buildings, including ministries and the Red Fort. The 8x12 feet flag is typically used at district collector offices, 6x9 feet at commissioner offices, and 4x6 feet at tehsil offices. Smaller flags are distributed to schools and colleges.

Interestingly, only four centers across India are officially authorized to manufacture flags for the Red Fort: Nanded and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Hubballi in Karnataka, and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.

"We take immense pride in crafting the national flag. This is a significant responsibility bestowed upon us, and we feel honored to partake in this national duty," Mathpati stated.