Nanded’s Khadi Gramodyog Keeps the Tiranga Flying High for India’s 79th Independence Day
Nanded, August 14 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — In the heart of Maharashtra’s Nanded district, far from the bustle of Delhi’s grand celebrations, a quiet but deeply patriotic operation is in full swing. The Marathwada Khadi Gramodyog Samiti is one of only four authorised centres in India entrusted with manufacturing the national flag — the Tiranga — for official government use, including the iconic Red Fort hoisting on Independence Day.
A Legacy Rooted in Freedom Struggle
The Nanded centre’s journey traces back to 1965, when freedom fighter Govindbhai Shroff and visionary leader Swami Ramanand Teerth laid its foundations. Initially aimed at promoting khadi and rural employment, it has since grown into a vital hub for producing India’s most important symbol.
Manager Mahabaleshwar Mathpati noted, “Our organisation started in 1962, and we have been manufacturing the national flag since 1993. The central government supplies the cotton. We have a branch in Udgir, Latur, where 250 spinners and weavers work to produce the fabric. This fabric is then brought to Nanded, sent to Gujarat for dying and bleaching, and finally returned to Nanded for printing and stitching.”
From Raw Khadi to National Pride
The process begins months in advance. Untreated khadi cloth is first sent to the BMC Mill in Ahmedabad, a government-approved facility, where it is woven into the three colours of the national flag.
After stringent BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) quality checks, the cloth returns to Nanded for the screen printing of the Ashoka Chakra, cutting, and stitching. A distinctive detail in every flag is the use of ‘Gardi’ rope — a blend of turmeric, teak, sal, and rosewood sourced from Mumbai — for tying the flags.
“This is a meticulous and time-consuming process,” explained office superintendent Gyanoba Solanke, “and the entire cycle takes a minimum of two months. We have to start early to meet the surge in demand ahead of Independence Day and Republic Day.”
Meeting the Nation’s Demand
So far in 2025, the Nanded unit has produced over 10,000 flags in various sizes, selling Rs 50 lakh worth by August 8. The centre expects to cross Rs 1.5 crore in turnover this year.
Flag sizes vary by official use:
- 14x21 feet — Ministries, Red Fort
- 8x12 feet — District collector offices
- 6x9 feet — Commissioner offices
- 4x6 feet — Tehsil offices
- Smaller sizes — Schools, colleges, public events
Alongside Nanded, only Mumbai (Maharashtra), Hubballi (Karnataka), and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) are authorised to produce Red Fort flags.
Why Nanded’s Work Matters
With India preparing for its 79th Independence Day, the role of centres like Nanded goes beyond manufacturing. It safeguards the integrity of the Tiranga, ensuring it meets legal proportions, quality standards, and symbolic significance.
For locals, it is also a source of pride and livelihood. The production unit sustains hundreds of weavers, spinners, printers, and tailors across Maharashtra and Gujarat, blending traditional craftsmanship with national service.
Mathpati summed it up best:
“We feel proud while making the national flag. This is a great responsibility entrusted to us, and we are honoured to be part of this national duty.”
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
In an era when mass production often compromises authenticity, Nanded’s Khadi Gramodyog stands as a reminder that the making of the Tiranga is an act of both craft and devotion. From humble looms in Udgir to the towering flagpole at the Red Fort, each flag carries the hands and hearts of those who made it.
As the nation salutes the Tiranga this Independence Day, a part of that salute belongs to Nanded — quietly keeping India’s most powerful symbol flying high.