Ponduru Khadi is a traditional hand-woven cotton fabric produced in Ponduru village of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, locally known as Patnulu. Ponduru Khadi has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, with the registration awarded in favour of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) by the Geographical Indications Registry. The GI recognition provides legal protection to this rare hand-woven fabric and safeguards its authenticity. About Ponduru Khadi Ponduru Khadi is known for its exceptionally high yarn count of around 100–120, reflecting its superior fineness and quality. Ponduru is a village situated in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and located about 100 km from the port city of Visakhapatnam. While spinning and weaving of cotton was done by the people of Ponduru for a long time, it first came to be known during the Swadeshi Movement, when India was struggling for freedom against the British empire. It was also the time when the Khadi movement began with an aim to boycott foreign goods including textiles and promote Indian goods, with the aim of boosting India's economy. The fabric is made using Hill cotton, Punasa cotton, and Red cotton grown in the Srikakulam district. Cotton used for the spinning and weaving of Ponduru Khadi is organically cultivated, without any pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The entire process of cleaning, spinning, and weaving is carried out manually, preserving centuries-old artisanal skills. One of its most distinctive features is the use of the jawbone of the Valuga fish for cleaning cotton, a practice not found anywhere else in the world. It is known worldwide for its high-quality indigenous cotton, a specialized and intricate manual process that involves the use of various handheld tools that enhance its authenticity. The entire production process of Ponduru Khadi requires specialized skills and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations. Not many artisans possess the skill and the expertise required to spin and weave such fine yarn and this sets apart the artisans of Ponduru from the others. Until 1983, the Ponduru Khadi artisans were functioning under the association of spinners affiliated to Akhila Bharat Charkha Sangham which was run by the freedom fighters, as a part of KHADI movement in India. They then organised themselves under the Andhra Fine Khadi Karmikabhivrudhi Sangham (AFKKS). Source : GI Registry of India