Motihari: Inaugurating the Khadi Kamgar Sammelan organized by the Khadi Gramodyog Commission on August 22 at the local town hall, Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh said Khadi has power to generate employment to crores of people.

“Khadi has now become a brand and the fabric is now popular among the youths also,” said Singh adding the Narendra Modi government is determined to strengthen the khadi industries and several measures have been taken by the government to create a big market of khadi clothes.

To mark the Mahatma Gandhi Satyagrah centenary celebration, the commission has first chosen the East Champaran district and launched 100 charkha centres in 18 villages where Mahatma Gandhi visited during his Champaran Satyagrah movement.

Arun Kumar Jha, Chief Executive Officer of Khadi Gramodyog Commission said at least 10 charkhas would be provided at each centres with raw materials. The Commission’s trainers will provide technical assistants to the trainees at these centres. Around 600 women who are already engaged in spinning and weaving khadi participated in this ‘sammelan’ and demonstrated their charkha spinning.

The Minister said the spinning wheel which was used to be a symbol of poverty now has become a symbol of self-sustenance. “Mahatma Gandhi infused new life into khadi and it became a symbol of nationalism, self-dependence and equality. He had envisioned hand-woven fabrics as a means for poverty-stricken people and later advocated use of khadi as a part of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Swaraj movement’ which played a vital role in the independence movement. He realized the power of khadi which can bring socio-economic and cultural change in the country,” said Singh.

He said PM Modi has urged people to purchase khadi clothess, at least a handkerchief which will give employment to youth in a large number. The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises department has taken an initiative to promote manufacturing and selling of khadi clothes to motivate everyone to wear it.

Source: Times of India