Ahead of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitched for taking forward the movement to popularise Khadi, which he said was not a fabric but an “idea”.
He said a new thinking has been infused in those working in the Khadi sector in the Government as to how to bring in new technology, how to increase productivity and how to rejuvenate traditional heritage “which was lying inactive for 20, 25 or 30 years”.
In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi recalled that in one episode, he had discussed about Khadi. “Khadi is not a fabric, it is an idea,” he said, adding, “ “I had said that it is not necessary to have everything of Khadi only but if there are various kinds of fabric at home, why should Khadi not be one of them. It may be a bed-sheet, a handkerchief or a curtain. Experience shows that interest among the young generation for Khadi has increased,” Modi said.
He said the Khadi sale has increased and as a result, the poor man’s household has directly got linked to employment. “I once again urge that we should try and take forward the Khadi movement,” he said.
By buying Khadi, enable the Diwali lamp to be lit in a poor man’s home, Modi said, asking people to have such a spirit.