Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the countrymen to give “Khadi gifts” during the upcoming festivals and those going abroad to carry Khadi products to create more awareness about them in foreign countries. “Gift and promote Khadi in the upcoming festive season,” he said.
Modi, for some time, also tried spinning yarn at the “charkha” (wheel). He later said the spinning experience reminded him of his childhood.
Pointing out that there has been a “four-fold increase in its sale in the last eight years”, he said Khadi was virtually destroyed post-Independence but was now making a big impact on the global market.
He said, “In the last 8 years, the sale of Khadi increased four times and for the first time, the Khadi and Gramodyog turnover crossed Rs one lakh crore” and that “the sector created 1.75 crore new jobs also”.
Modi was addressing the gathering, including 7,500 women with “Charkha”, at the “Khadi Utsav” at the Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad, where he also inaugurated the “Atal Bridge”, named after former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee.
The Prime Minister said, “Like freedom struggle, Khadi can inspire in fulfilling the promise of a developed India and a self-reliant India.”
He said the Khadi industry, which was witnessing a downfall post-Independence was revived by his Government.
“Khadi, which Gandhi made the symbol of the country’s self-respect at the time of the freedom movement, was infused with an inferiority complex after Independence. Because of this, Khadi and the village industry associated with Khadi were completely destroyed. This condition of Khadi was very painful, especially for Gujarat,” he said.
Modi said he is proud that the task of reviving Khadi took place in the land of Gujarat. The Prime Minister emphasised the Government’s pledge of “Khadi for Transformation” to “Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion”. He said, “We started spreading the Gujarat success experiences across the country.”
“The problems which were related to Khadi across the country were resolved. We encouraged countrymen to buy Khadi products,” he said and acknowledged the contribution of women in the process of revival of Khadi. “Women power is also a major contributor to the growing strength of India’s Khadi industry. The spirit of entrepreneurship is ingrained in our sisters and daughters. The proof of this is also the expansion of Sakhi Mandals in Gujarat,” he added.
He said the financial inclusion schemes like Mudra Yojana are boosting entrepreneurship.
“Khadi is an example of sustainable clothing, eco-friendly clothing and it has the least carbon footprint,” he said, adding today there is a big global market for it in the backdrop of a debate on climate change.
“There are many countries where the temperature is high, Khadi is also very important from the point of view of health. Hence, Khadi can play a huge role at the global level,” he said adding this is in sync with the growing trend of back to basic and sustainable living at the global level.
Looking at the women with the spinning wheel at the “Khadi Utsav”, he said, “7,500 sisters and daughters created history by spinning yarn on a spinning wheel together...Your hands, while spinning yarn on Charkha, are weaving the fabric of India.” Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, Member of Parliament, C R Patil, State Minister Harsh Sanghvi, Jagdish Panchal, Mayor of Ahmedabad, Kiritbhai Parmar and Chairman of KVIC, Manoj Kumar were those present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister also said, “History bears witness that a thread of Khadi became the force of freedom movement, it broke the chains of slavery.” He said the same thread of Khadi can become a source of inspiration to fulfil the promise of a developed India and thereby fulfilling the dream of a self-reliant India.
“A traditional strength like Khadi can take us to new heights”, he said. This Khadi Utsav is an effort to revive the spirit and history of the freedom movement and an inspiration to achieve the resolutions of New India,” he added.
He recalled his Panch-Prans that he proclaimed on 15th August, from the Red Fort.
“At this holy place, on the banks of Sabarmati, I want to repeat the Panch-Prans. First — the great goal in front of the country, the goal of making a developed India. Second — the complete abandonment of the slavery mentality. Third — taking pride in our heritage, Fourth- making strong efforts to increase the unity of the nation, and Fifth- civic duty,” he said adding today’s Khadi Utsav is a beautiful reflection of the ‘Panch Prans’.