JOIN USAs the State government has tightened its laws banning the sale of plastic flags, indigenous flags made at the State’s only tri-colour making unit at Garaga in Dharwad district, has been in much demand in the city.
And, with less than a month left for the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, Khadi Bhandars here have geared up to meet the occasional rush.
The flags at Dharwad are made of double thread (DT) khadi cloth with ISI mark, making it more distinctive.
As khadi is well accepted across the nation, the demand for flags that had remained stagnant, got a push two years ago, explains Vasudev the manager at Khadi Bhandar on Dhanwantri road in the city.
Vasudev told Deccan Herald that when the sale of plastic made flags was prohibited two years ago, customers, irrespective of government and private organisations turned towards Khadi Bhandars.
Moreover, the government order compelling the gram panchayat offices to hoist the flag on the D-day, was a plus.
The Bhandars falls under the ambit of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The shop on Dhanwantri road is the main shop, with three other shops located at Chamundipuram, Lansdowne Building (Khadder Cooperative Society) and Nrupathunga road, Kuvempunagar.
While the stock has arrived at Dhanwantri road, the other shops are expecting the same on July 25.
“My customer base includes government offices, schools and colleges in Mysore, Mandya and Kodagu districts. Many organisations have already purchased the flags. However, in the case of customers within the city and nearby places, they prefer to buy it on th eve of I-Day,” Vasudev said.
The flags are available in three sizes - two feet wide and three feet long (priced at Rs 700); 3x4.5 feet (Rs 1,400); and 4x6 feet (Rs 1,600).
On an average, around 250 flags are sold at Dhanwantri road shop alone ever year, with medium sized tri-colour being much in demand.
The small and big sized flags are sold in the range of 50-75 per annum.