A khadi organisation in Gwalior that began in 1930 under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s spinning-wheel movement and the Swadeshi campaign has come a long way from making khadi products to producing India’s national flag.

The Madhya Bharat Khadi Sangh now supplies Tricolours to government institutions and customers across nearly 18 states. Flags made at its Gwalior facility have also been used at prominent government buildings, including the Red Fort.

The organisation received official approval in 2016 to manufacture the national flag according to prescribed standards, marking a major turning point in its long history.

From Khadi to National Flag

The Madhya Bharat Khadi Sangh was established in 1930, inspired by Gandhi’s emphasis on khadi, self-reliance and Swadeshi.

The organisation initially focused on promoting indigenous products and producing khadi cloth and flags. Over the years, its work expanded, eventually leading to efforts to manufacture the national flag in accordance with official specifications.

According to organisation president Vasudev Sharma, several attempts had previously been made to secure permission for producing standardised national flags. Approval finally came in 2016.

First Standardised Flag Reached Red Fort

Following the approval, the first Tricolour manufactured by the organisation according to the prescribed standards was supplied for use at the Red Fort.

Flags produced at the Gwalior facility have also been used at important government establishments, including secretariat buildings and high courts.

For the organisation, the production of the national flag represents an extension of its original commitment to khadi and indigenous manufacturing.

Business Crosses ₹1 Crore

The growing demand for the Tricolour around Independence Day and Republic Day has also increased the organisation's business.

In its earlier years, the annual business associated with the national flag was around ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh. The combined business around the two major national festivals has now crossed ₹1 crore, according to the organisation.

So far this year, Tricolours worth around ₹60 lakh have reportedly been sold.

Orders From 18 States

The Gwalior-made flags are now supplied not only within Madhya Pradesh but also to customers and institutions in around 18 states.

The organisation has received approximately 70 to 80 orders ahead of this year's Independence Day. With August 15 approaching, completing the orders on time has become one of the main challenges for the workers.

Officials associated with the organisation said demand has increased compared with last year, with campaigns such as Har Ghar Tiranga also contributing to greater public interest in displaying the national flag.

Women Play Key Role in Production

Women workers at the Gwalior facility are involved in several stages of production, including stitching and preparing the flags.

The Tricolours are folded and handled according to the required procedures before being dispatched to customers and institutions.

For the organisation, the work combines traditional khadi-based production with the demand for a nationally significant product.

A Legacy Linked to Gwalior

The history of the Madhya Bharat Khadi Sangh is closely associated with Gwalior and the wider Swadeshi movement.

Babu Takhtmal Jain, who played an important role in establishing the organisation, was also the first Chief Minister of Madhya Bharat. The institution continued to promote khadi, indigenous production and self-reliance through the decades.

What began with the spinning wheel and the promotion of Swadeshi in 1930 has now evolved into a manufacturing operation whose Tricolours reach government institutions and customers across the country.

As Independence Day approaches, the flags being prepared in Gwalior carry not only the national colours but also a history stretching back nearly a century.