Fabric of freedom spinning a success saga in the state
Bags order for 7 million primary school uniforms; 3,500 solar charkhas distributed to weavers
PRAYAGRAJ: Good times are ahead for khadi in Uttar Pradesh. The efforts made by the Uttar Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (UPKVIB) have led to mass supply orders for the Indian hand spun fabric, providing boost to the weavers’ financial status.
The khadi fabric, an epitome of nationalism and promoted by Mahatma Gandhi as a means of livelihood for Indian rural masses, will soon be used by top most fashion designers of the country including Rina Dhaka, Ritu Beri, etc to create trendy fashion wear to be exhibited at top most fashion showrooms of the country. According to cabinet minister for khadi Siddharth Nath Singh, hectic efforts are being made to promote this fabric as it will directly benefit the weavers living in remove villages.
“Presently there are nearly 80,000 weavers in the state, including women, all residing in remote villages and struggling for livelihood. The initiatives made by UPKVIB are now providing weavers an earning of ₹ 300 to ₹ 400 per day with an average making of 8 to 10 rolls of khadi thread,” the minister said. The minister further said that recently a major manufacturing order of 2 lakh metres of khadi was bagged from Raymond for selling it in their showrooms
› The initiatives made by UPKVIB are now providing weavers an earning of Rs 300 to Rs 400 per day SIDDHARTH NATH SINGH, cabinet minister for khadi
all over the country, while a few more orders were in the pipeline.
The khadi weavers have also bagged orders for manufacturing 7 million school uniforms for government run primary schools in the state this year. In the past one year, the KVIB has distributed nearly 3,500 solar charkhas to weavers which will help boost their manufacturing capacity. Last October, the UP government had organised an 11-day Uttar Pradesh Khadi Mahotsav. The event which started on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 also witnessed a fashion show to promote khadi clothes.