PALLAKAD: Forty eight hours after an apparel factory in Kannur named ‘Maryan Apparels’ decided to halt the orders for stitching uniforms for the Israeli police and army officials temporarily, a Mumbai-based apparel firm currently operating in Kanjikode Kinfra park has welcomed the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) by confirming his willingness to take up the work on a war-footing basis.
Shashi Kumar, the Managing Director of Sariga apparels, a firm that is currently into apparel manufacturing told The New Indian that his firm which is currently into stitching undergarments are willing to take up the order as the kannur-based apparel firm has decided to halt the order citing ‘moral grounds’.
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I am more than willing to take up the orders of Israeli uniforms as I understand a firm in Kannur has decided to stop taking it further. Israel being a friendly nation to our country that has always been with India during its difficult times and assisting Indian in Military intelligence and other related technologies, I feel in these difficult times, we should support them and from my side I am ready to do my bit provided the IDF is satisfied with my work”, said Shashi Kumar, MD of Sariga Apparels. 
“Even though we don’t deal with uniforms as of now, we have all the machinery to ensure the necessary demand is met. I feel we have to buy a few more machines for sewing the uniforms. In the coming months, we will require more manpower, however I have decided to ensure more employees will be asked to come from our Mumbai apparel factory and thus meet the requirement. I am least bothered about the politics associated with such issues. For me, my country matters the most. As a proud Indian, I am ready to ensure that if the orders are assigned to us, we are more than happy to work in that direction and ensure the best outfits will be stitched at our apparel out here in Kanjikode”, said Shashi Kumar to the ‘Newindian’.
MD of Maryan apparels,T homas Olickal while halting temporarily the orders of Israeli uniforms had said that thousands of innocent people, including children, have lost their lives in the conflict and hence the company has decided to stop the distribution of uniforms to the Israeli police force.
“Until peace is restored in the region, we would not take any orders from Israel”, he had told The New Indian.
Ever since the decision and many media houses raking up the matter, several BJP leaders including Sandeep Warrier and Anoop Antony has taken to the social media expressing concerns over the decision and stating that the textile ministry should take up the matter and ensure that the orders should be awarded so that it benefits the industry.
Maryan apparels have been associated with the Israeli team since 2012 where every year, the apparel factory has been stitching uniforms for the Israeli police and the army. However, the firm has decided to terminate the contract once the current order is completed.
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