Khadi: India’s Handspun Fabric Making a Comeback
In a recent statement on National Handloom Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called khadi not just a piece of cloth, but also a weapon for those with self-respect. Khadi, a handspun fabric, played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle but was eventually forgotten. However, it is now experiencing a resurgence.
Khadi, derived from the word ‘khaddar,’ has a rich history dating back to 400 BC. Indian fabrics were highly sought after in Europe during the late 17th Century, which sparked envy and led to their ban by the British and French to reduce competition.
The revival of khadi can be attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, who saw it as a non-violent tool in the fight against foreign clothes during the freedom struggle. Gandhi believed in the importance of self-reliance and promoted the production of hand-spun khadi as a means of economic liberation. He started the Khadi movement in 1915, aiming to make people self-sufficient and create employment opportunities, particularly for women.
For Gandhi, khadi wasn’t just a cloth; it represented freedom and stood for values such as simplicity, service to mankind, and creating an unbreakable bond between different sections of society.
In post-independent India, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) was established in 1957 to institutionalize the khadi industry. However, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership, the focus shifted to industrialization, and both khadi and Indian handloom took a backseat. Synthetic fabrics, especially polyester, gained popularity, and the powerloom sector boomed while handloom weavers suffered.
Fortunately, the Modi government has emphasized the revival of Indian handloom and khadi. With the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the government has worked towards promoting khadi and generating employment opportunities. In the past nine years, khadi production has increased threefold, and sales of khadi clothes have increased fivefold. The handloom business turnover has also grown significantly.
Khadi has made a comeback in the fashion industry, with brands like the Aditya Birla Group and Raymond launching their collections of khadi wear. Designers are also embracing khadi and showcasing it on the ramp. This renewed interest in khadi has resulted in increased demand, not only in India but also in foreign countries.
Seventy-six years after independence, khadi is once again in the spotlight. The fabric represents India’s rich textile traditions and serves as a symbol of self-reliance and national pride. The resurgence of khadi is a testament to its significance in India’s history and its role in shaping the country’s identity. As India celebrates Gandhi Jayanti, let us remember the impact of khadi and its potential in India’s fastest-growing economy.
In conclusion, khadi is more than just a fabric; it is a symbol of freedom and self-reliance. With its renewed popularity, khadi is poised to play a crucial role in India’s economic development and empower the masses. As the world’s fastest-growing economy, the revival of khadi is a testament to India’s rich heritage and its vision for an inclusive and self-sufficient future.
