Khadi’s exponential growth, as mentioned by President in his address to the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session, is a recognition of the “Charkha Kranti” initiated by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the last seven years, says KVIC chairman VK Saxena.
Expressing gratitude to the President for taking note of the good work done by the KVIC, Saxena said the Commission built several monumental Charkhas to propagate Gandhian thoughts and symbolism of Charkha in India and abroad which further popularized Khadi..
Khadi’s success was acknowledged by the President in his address to the Parliament on January 312, and by Home Minister Amit Shah, a day before at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, while unveiling Mahatma Gandhi’s 100 sq meter wall mural on his 74th Martyr’s Day.
“Khadi and Gandhi were only used for political gains. It was only after the year 2014, that concrete efforts were made by the Narendra Modi government to popularize Khadi and spread the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and the symbolism of Charkha across the globe. Be it the birth anniversary or the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, KVIC organized unique programs to celebrate Gandhian thoughts,” he said, adding.” The PM himself is the biggest source of inspiration behind the success of KVIC.”
During the last 7 years, KVIC built monuments like world’s biggest wooden and steel charkhas, world’s smallest charkha on wrist watches, Gandhi ji’s world’s largest wall mural made of clay Kulhads, world’s largest national flag made of Khadi fabric, heritage Charkha museum and many more. Charkha, which was Gandhi ji’s tool in the fight against the British Rule, made its way to a foreign country, for the first time in 2017. Since then, Bapu’s Charkha has reached 60 countries of the world, he said.
1956 to 2014 – No significant activity/event
July 5, 2016 - World's largest wooden Charkha installed at IGI Airport, New Delhi, by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Hon’ble Member of Parliament.
October 18, 2016 - Biggest Ever Charkha distribution in Independent India at Ludhiana by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
May 21, 2017 - World's largest Stainless Steel Charkha installed at Connaught Place, New Delhi by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Hon’ble Member of Parliament.
May 21, 2017 - Heritage Charkha Museum Inaugurated at Connaught Place, New Delhi, by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Hon’ble Member of Parliament.
October 2, 2017 – A big wooden Charkha unveiled in Uganda, for the first time on foreign soil.
April 15, 2018 - Stainless Steel Charkha unveiled by former Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh at Motihari in Bihar to commemorate Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations.