New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the people to gift only the products made in Khadi Village Industries in the upcoming festive period adding that "Khadi is an example of sustainable and eco-friendly clothing with least carbon footprint."
"You can have clothes made of different types of fabrics. But if you give place to Khadi in that, then the Vocal for Local campaign will gain momentum," the Prime Minister said addressing Khadi Utsav at the Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad.
He further added that the same thread of Khadi can become a source of inspiration to fulfil the promise of a developed India and thereby fulfilling the dream of a self-reliant India.
"A traditional strength like Khadi can take us to new heights. This Khadi Utsav is an effort to revive the spirit and history of the freedom movement and an inspiration to achieve the resolutions of New India," he added.
Modi recalled his personal connection with Charkha and remembered his childhood when his mother used to work on Charkha.
"The bank of Sabarmati has become blessed today as on the occasion of 75 years of independence, 7,500 sisters and daughters have created history by spinning yarn on a spinning wheel together," he said.
He added that spinning on charkha is nothing short of worship.
"History bears witness that a thread of Khadi became the force of freedom movement, it broke the chains of slavery," he said.
The Prime Minister also dwelled on the neglect of Khadi in the period after independence.
"At the time of the freedom movement, Khadi, which Gandhiji made the symbol of the country's self-respect, was infused with an inferiority complex after independence. Because of this, Khadi and the village industry associated with Khadi were completely destroyed. This condition of Khadi was very painful especially for Gujarat," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised the pledge by the Government of ‘Khadi for Transformation’ to ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion’.
He informed that in the last 8 years, sales of Khadi increased four times and for the first time, the Khadi and Gramodyog turnover crossed one lakh crore and the sector created 1.75 crore new jobs also.
Highlighting the benefits of Khadi, the Prime Minister said that it is an example of sustainable clothing, eco-friendly clothing and it has the least carbon footprint.
"There are many countries where the temperature is high, Khadi is also very important from the point of view of health. Hence, Khadi can play a huge role at the global level," he said.
Khadi Utsav is being organized to pay tribute to khadi and its importance during the freedom struggle. The Utsav will be organised at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and witnessed 7500 women khadi artisans from various districts of Gujarat spinning charkha live at the same time and at the same place.
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