6 days ago
Watch: Did you know that only one village in India makes the national flag?
Today is National Flag Day, and here's something most people don't know. Only one village in the entire country is authorised to make the Indian national flag.
That village is Bengeri, located near Hubballi in Karnataka. Here lies the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyog Samyukta Sangha, or KKGSS.
It is the only unit in India certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to manufacture the national flag.
The process begins in Tulasigeri, a village in Karnataka's Bagalkot district. Here, hand-spun khadi cloth is woven, as required by the Flag Code of India, which mandates that the national flag must be made from hand-spun and handwoven khadi.
This cloth is sent to KKGSS in Bengeri, where it goes through dyeing, screen printing, stitching, and quality checks. Each flag is made according to strict specifications set by the BIS and the Flag Code: the flag must follow a 3:2 ratio, the Ashoka Chakra must have 24 spokes, evenly spaced, the colours, saffron, white, and green, must match standardised shades
KKGSS produces the flag in nine official sizes, ranging from small desktop flags to large flags used on government buildings.
The organisation has a predominantly female workforce, and most parts of the flag-making process, including stitching, are done by hand.
The unit was established in 1957 by freedom fighter Venkatesh Magadi.
In 2006, it received official recognition to manufacture the Indian national flag.
The flags made in Bengeri are used across the country, at government offices, embassies, ceremonial events, and national holidays.
Even the flag hoisted at the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations is made in this small village.
Credits
Presentation: Yuvasree S
Video: Thamodharan B
Script and Production: Shikha Kumari A
