*Title:* Khadi: A Spinning wheel of Transformation

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Khadi
Fabric of Freedom, Transcending Boundaries

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Khadi
A Wheel of Transformation, Progression & Elegance

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From Desi Weave to Global Fabric
Khadi: The pride of India

*PKG*

Never in history has a length of cloth played such a crucial role in shaping the nation’s destiny as Khadi has in India’s freedom struggle. Admired for its quality and austere simplicity, Khadi wasn’t only a call to become self-reliant but it was also an appeal to wear something that displayed the might and power of a united India.

Addressing the “Mann Ki Baat” radio programme, PM Modi urged countrymen to buy Khadi products and contribute towards a ‘Bharat Jodo Andolan. ’

PM Modi Byte 6:50 – 7:17

In light of realising ‘vocal for local’, Khadi products have seen tremendous growth since 2014. Year after year, PM Modi has often touched upon Khadi in his monthly address to the nation and as a result, due to much promotion of this indigenous fabric, the sale of Khadi has risen manifold.

PM Modi Byte 7:27-8:08

Despite the challenges posed by the current coronavirus pandemic, Khadi’s single-day sales have exceeded Rs 1 crore for 4 times in October-November 2020 at Khadi India’s Flagship Outlet. Earlier, the highest single-day sale of Khadi stood at Rs 66.81 lakh that was recorded on 4th October 2014, just a day after the Prime Minister’s first address through “Mann Ki Baat”.

Khadi: Spinning out jobs & self-employment

A slew of economic measures cannot be called sustainable unless the benefits reach artisans. Nearly a century ago, Mahatma Gandhi found the answer to rural India’s financial independence in khadi and promoted it until his death. That’s how powerful a fabric can be! Khadi clusters are a source of income to rural Indian communities. A statutory body, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) was established in 1956 with the objective of generating employment by promoting the sale of merchandise and by instilling strong rural community spirit and creating self-reliance among the rural population. They undertake all the necessary tasks… from sourcing raw materials and equipment to providing facilities for marketing as well as training artisans and researching in this domain.

With a count of 7,529 units, Jammu & Kashmir has the maximum number of units set up in 2018-19 generating estimated employment of 60,232. Following J&K are the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, which reported more than 5,000 units each and employment to more than 40,000 people in each of these states.

A sustainable handicraft:

Khadi, also known as ‘Khadar’, is handwoven cotton cloth which uses no machines or energy or any kind of fuel for its manufacturing. Posing compatibility with the environment, a metre of khadi fabric consumes 3 litres of water, against 55 litres of water required for one metre of mill-produced fabric. This zero-carbon footprint fabric also solves one of the most pressing issues of today – the water crisis in both rural and urban India.

Local Weave to Global Fabric

The second-largest exporter of textile and clothing in the world, India registered $22.94 billion from exports in FY20. And in that, the share of Khadi in cumulative textile mill production accounted for 8.49%.

The sophistication and grace of Khadi is not only taking over Indians but also capturing hearts in the global market as well. It’s organic, sustainable, skin-friendly in nature, and the precious craft is deeply intertwined with the history of India.

It’s khadi that we need to rely on for a sustainable and Atmanirbhar economy & future.
That’s all for today’s segment, Thank you for watching.

Video Shots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DzE7XkYgrU&t=191s