Har Ghar Tiranga Becomes Source Of Employment For Women SHGs; Lakhs Of Flags Stitched In State In Run-Up To Independence Day

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign has become a source of seasonal employment for a large number of persons mostly women in Madhya Pradesh.

The campaign, launched in 2022 to mark 75 years of India’s independence, generates a demand for millions of national flags of different sizes and different materials.

These flags are stitched mainly by members of all-women SHGs. The stitching work begins from May-June and lasts till the first week of August. Cloth printed with the tricolour is produced in mills in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Surat. Bolts of these clothes are transported to different places in the state and flags are stitched locally.

The state government has decentralised the process of procurement of national flags. The collectors have been asked to get flags stitched at the local level through women SHGs. No procurement is being made at the state level.

This has led to generation of employment all over the state. Ajay Agarwal, proprietor of Sheela Admakers, Malviya Nagar said that they have already sold around 20k flags. ‘Besides political parties, social organisations, banks and corporate houses are also buying flags,’ he said, adding that ‘local MP Alok Sharma has placed an order for 3k flags with Sheela Admakers.

Three types of flags are available. Those made of roto fabric are the cheapest. They are priced between Rs 10 and Rs 20 apiece. The silk satin ones are sold for Rs 12-300 depending on the size.

The khadi flags are the costliest, selling for Rs 20 to Rs 800. ‘Besides stores, our flags are also available on many commercial sites including Amazon, Flipkart etc,’ Ajay said, adding that ‘no doubt, the Tiranga campaign is generating seasonal employment to people mainly SHG women.’

Nitesh Agarwal of Jhalak Enterprises near MLAs Rest House, said that they have already sold around 25k flags and have orders for as many pending with them. ‘We buy printed cloth from mills in Surat and give the stitching work to local women on per piece basis.

This year, we have given work to women residents of Om Nagar Basti,’ he said, adding that ‘we are getting around 500 enquires daily.’ He said that the Ghar Ghar Tiranga campaign does generate employment, even if it is seasonal.

According to Nitesh, silk satin tricolour of 20inch X 30inch size priced at Rs 20 apiece is the most popular choice. Stick and table stand tricolours are also available at the outlet.

Though Jhalak Enterprises has its own website for selling flags, Nitesh said that most customers prefer to buy flags from physical stores. Parwati Kakode from Om Nagar said that she has been stitching flags since the second week of June. ‘I get Rs 4 per flag. It is an additional income for me,’ she said.

SK Verma, deputy director, Swaraj Sansthan and nodal officer for Har Ghar Tiranga campaign said, "Collectors have been asked to make procurement of flags at the local level. Only if the demand exceeds the supply in any district, will we come into the picture. Many people have kept the flags they had brought last year safe and will not need to buy a new one."