Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s plans to venture into clothing and make khadi apparel has evoked positive response from the textile industry with teams from some prominent business houses approaching Patanjali with their products.
Earlier this week, a team from the Raymond Group showed different samples of its products to Patanjali executives. Ahmedabad-based textile manufacturer Arvind, too, has contacted Patanjali to explore business opportunities, said people familiar with the developments.
Refusing to take names, Ramdev said, “Some big names of the (textile) industry have approached us. Few meetings have already taken place. We will take the textile industry together and this will be a collective effort.”
“Raymond has been pivotal in positioning India as a preferred supplier of high quality fine fabrics and apparel. Since our inception in 1925, we have always been on the forefront of Make in India. Our denim manufacturing is recognised for differentiated and innovative products that we supply to wellknown Indian and international brands and we keep evaluating various opportunities and partnerships to offer Indian consumes the very best of global fashion,” said Gautam Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond.
Ramdev has plans to go big on khadi and wants to make everything “from langot (nappies) to coat”. “If khadi products are being sold by foreign companies like Fabindia in our country, it is political murder of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology,” he said. To be sure, Fabindia was founded by an American John Bissell in 1960 as an exporter of home furnishings, based out of New Delhi. Currently, it is headed by William Nanda Bissell, an American citizen resident in India.
Insisting that Indians should become complete swadeshi, Ramdev said, “Unlike big business groups, my advertising work is handed by Vermillion, an Indian advertising agency.” Patanjali is also exploring all options to manufacture unique organic clothes for people suffering from diabetes, obesity and other diseases.
Source: Economic Times
