The newly appointed Jharkhand State Khadi Board Chairman Sanjay Seth will try to make people observe ‘Khadigri’ on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.
While talking to ‘The Pioneer’ on Friday, Seth also added that he will try to popularise Khadi in Jharkhand by taking help of the students of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
“In order to popularise Khadi among the masses, I have decided to convince the people to observe ‘Khadigiri’ on October 2 where everyone in the State will be asked to use at least one product of Khadi for a day,” said Seth. Chief Minister Raghubar Das has already been informed about it and has given a go ahead in this regard.
“We have three months’ time remaining with us.......during this time we will educate the people that why it is important to wear Khadi...everyone should use Khadi at least one day in a year,” Seth added.
He further said that efforts will also be made so that curtains and table clothes in all government offices be changed to Khadi so that others could get inspired by it.
“Even the blankets, distributed among the poor people during winter season is bought from somewhere else.....If we can produce it here at a cheaper rate why should it be brought from outside. I will request the State government to give us a chance to supply blankets for the purpose,” Seth said. It will give a boost to Khadi production in Jharkhand, he said.
Seth said that his priorities were to increase Khadi production and employment generation in Jharkhand.
“My priorities are not to organize mela or seminar in a five-star hotel, rather my priorities are to make dreams of Mahatma Gandhi true by making people self dependent. I will try to reach out to the masses and train them in Khadi production, give them loan to produce Khadi and also purchase their produces at reasonable rates,” he said.
Jharkhand being the major producer of raw materials for carpet industry (which is also produced in large numbers in latehar, Garhwa and Palamu), we will try to make a small Bhadoi here in the region by promoting cottage industries in the region.
Seth said that the State government will also be convinced so that the school dresses in Government schools be changed to Khadi. “Besides increasing Khadi production in the State, number of outlets will also be increased across the country,” said the Chairman.
“Help from the students of NIFT will also be taken so that it does not lag behind in the competition of fashion and youths in the age group of
20-45 years will be targeted inspiring them to wear Khadi in any form,” said the Chairman.
In order to augment sentiments of nationalism among the students, Seth also stressed on starting lessons of using spinning wheel in government schools again in Jharkhand.