The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) unveiled world’s largest charkha (spinning wheels) at the Terminal 3 of IGI Airport Delhi on Tuesday to highlight India’s quest to “foster an egalitarian society” as demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi.
Unveiling the charkha, BJP president Amit Shah recalled the role of charkha in India’s freedom struggle as a source of self-reliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message to KVIC chairman VK Saxena complimented the KVIC and said, “The charkha is a symbol of our glorious heritage, and an inspiring reminder of our freedom struggle, led by the father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi…I am sure the Charkha will serve to remind travelers at the IGI airport of India’s timeless heritage and the values of sustainability and harmony that it stands for.”
The four-tone Charkha made from high-quality Burma teak wood is estimated to last for over 50 years. It is 9 ft wide, 17 ft tall and 30 ft long. It was built in 55 days by a team of 42 highly skilled carpenters hailing from Ahmedabad. The order for making the spinning wheel was given to Paryog Samiti, a KVIC unit, situated near Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
VK Saxena, KVIC Chairman, said, “Charkha, like the memorial to unknown soldiers, is memorial to the unknown rural masses who heard the call of the father of the nation and took to the demonstrated ways of self-reliance and dignity of labour. When we celebrate Charkha, with deep regards, we pay tribute and respect to the Khadi artisans symbolically.”
The charkha is the physical embodiment and symbol of Mahatma Gandhi’s Khadi promotion. It represents Swadeshi, self-sufficiency, and at the same time interdependence, because the wheel is at the center of a network of cotton growers, carders, weavers, distributors, and users.
The unveiling function was attended by Kalraj Mishra, Giriraj Singh, Dr Mahesh Sharma and Meenakshi lekhi, among others.