Bhuj:- 77th Republic Day, a historic confluence of patriotism and indigenous strength was witnessed on Monday at Dhordo in the Rann of Kutch, in the border district of Bhuj, Gujarat, when the world's largest monumental national flag, made of Khadi – the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi – was displayed in a grand and magnificent manner with full respect and pride. This special display was organized by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Illuminated against the canvas of the ‘white salt desert, this historic tricolor became a magnificent symbol of national pride, the spirit of self-reliance, and India's rich cultural heritage. The masses congregated on this occasion witnessed the embodiment of the nation's unity, integrity, and glorious traditions. Khadi artisans from across the country created a new record by saluting the world's largest tricolor flag, hoisted in Kutch, through video messages. On this occasion, personnel of the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) installed the world's largest national flag made of Khadi with full military honors and saluted it on Republic Day. A poignant moment was witnessed during this program, filled with national fervor, when the KVIC Chairman honored Smt. Rajkumari, wife of the brave martyr Sergeant Muralidhar of the Indian Army, from the stage, acknowledging her sacrifice, dedication, and service to the nation.
chief guest of the program was Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Senior officers and personnel of the Indian Army and Border Security Force, local representatives, senior officials of the Gujarat government and KVIC, and Khadi artisans were present at the ceremony. On the occasion of the national festival of Republic Day, equipment and toolkits were distributed to artisans in Gujarat under the Village Industries Development Scheme. It is also noteworthy that January 26, 2026, also marked the 25th year of remembrance of the Bhuj earthquake of 2001. Against this circumstantial event, the indomitable spirit of Kutch, its capacity for refurbishment, and its historical journey of development were highlighted, while remembering the citizens affected by the earthquake.
On this occasion, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said in his address: “The grand display of the world's largest Khadi tricolor in the Rann of Kutch on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day is a moment of immense pride for the Nation. This program is dedicated to the brave soldiers of 'Operation Sindoor'. I attribute this historic achievement to the inspiring leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, under whose guidance the Khadi movement has attained new recognition at the national and international levels.” On this occasion, he appealed to the citizens of the country to buy Khadi flags from Khadi outlets and hoist them at their homes. In his address, he also mentioned that January 26th marks the 25th anniversary of the Bhuj earthquake. He said that after that devastating tragedy of 2001, which affected thousands of families, Bhuj presented an extraordinary example of reconstruction, courage, and determination.
Mentioning to the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said that the new, safe, and well-organized Bhuj that stands today is not a result of mere coincidence, but a testament to his visionary leadership, tireless efforts, and developmental thinking as the then Chief Minister. Bhuj has been developed as a self-reliant and planned city for the future. The KVIC Chairman also said that today, Bhuj, due to its proximity to the border area, has become a crucial pillar of national security with the strong presence of our brave soldiers. This city symbolizes the security, resolve, and strength of the new India. Referring to the 'Smriti Van' established in Bhuj, he said that it is not just a memorial, but a existing symbol dedicated to the citizens who lost their lives in the 2001 tragedy, demonstrating how grief can be transformed into strength, memory into resolve, and disaster into inspiration for nation-building.
He further added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Khadi and Village Industries sector has made unprecedented progress, and millions of artisans across the country have had the opportunity to become self-reliant. In the last 11 years, KVIC has made significant improvements in the areas of production, marketing, design, and technology, which have had a far-reaching impact. The Khadi and Village Industries has crossed the sales of Rs. 1,70,000 crore, while providing employment to more than 2 crore persons. Due to the revolutionary changes in the Khadi industry, the income of artisans has increased significantly. The increase in the remuneration of Khadi artisans from Rs. 4 per hank to Rs. 15 per hank is resilient evidence of this change. This reflects not only an increase in income but also a positive transformation in the respect, confidence, and living standards of the artisans. The monumental national tricolor flag symbolizes the collective spirit of Indians and the heritage craftsmanship of Khadi. This flag was prepared by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' commemorating 75 years of independence. It has been displayed on several occasions before. This flag is 225 feet long, 150 feet wide, and weighs approximately 1400 kilograms. Khadi artisans and associated workers put in approximately 3500 extra hours of work to create this monumental national flag. The flag is made of hand-spun and hand-woven Khadi cotton fabric, which is an astonishing 4,500 meters long. It covers a total area of 33,750 square feet. The Ashoka Chakra in the flag has a diameter of 30 feet, and it took 70 Khadi artisans 49 days to create this flag.
DNA News Desk
