Overview On 7 February 2026 , the Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board set up a promotional stall on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office . The initiative was a direct response to a circular issued by the Karnataka Chief Secretary , urging all government employees to wear khadi products on the first Saturday of every month. The move aims to bolster local, eco‑friendly, and sustainable rural industries while fostering a culture of indigenous textile consumption among the bureaucracy. Key Developments Development 1: The stall showcased a range of products from the Shivamogga Charaka Gramodyoga Sahakara Sangha , including stitched garments, dress materials, and traditional saris. Development 2: Government employees from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and neighboring departments visited the stall, purchasing both ready‑made clothes and raw fabrics; a notable number of women officers inquired specifically about saris. Development 3: The event was organized in consultation with the Karnataka State Government Employees Association (KSGEA) , which directed its members to support the stall by buying khadi products. Important Facts Fact 1: The Chief Secretary’s circular mandates the use of khadi on the first Saturday of each month, linking the directive to the broader goal of promoting sustainable rural livelihoods. Fact 2: The stall’s location within a key administrative hub ensured high visibility, resulting in a “good response” from employees, though exact sales figures were not disclosed. UPSC Relevance This episode touches upon multiple strands of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice), it illustrates how administrative directives can be used to promote indigenous industries and environmental sustainability. GS Paper III (Economics) offers a case study on the role of state‑run boards in supporting the cottage and village sector, linking to topics such as MSME promotion, sustainable development, and the ‘Make in India’ thrust. The event also provides material for ethics and integrity discussions (GS IV) regarding the responsibility of public servants to lead by example. Way Forward For lasting impact, the government could institutionalize monthly khadi days across all departments, integrate khadi procurement into official uniform policies, and expand the network of such stalls to district and taluk levels. Monitoring mechanisms should be introduced to assess sales data, employee participation, and the resultant economic upliftment of rural artisans, thereby ensuring that the initiative translates into measurable socio‑economic benefits.