Khadi is more than fabric, it embodies India's spirit: Kerala minister
Thiruvananthapuram, July 23
Describing khadi as far more than just a fabric, Kerala Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Thursday that it had evolved into the very spirit and emotion of India through its association with the country's freedom struggle.
Muraleedharan said that Mahatma Gandhi transformed khadi into a symbol of national unity through the Swadeshi movement during the freedom struggle.
"By encouraging the boycott of foreign textiles and promoting indigenous products, khadi played a decisive role in mobilising people across the country for the fight for Independence," he added.
"Khadi is not merely a garment. It represents the soul of the nation and the emotions of millions who participated in India's struggle for freedom," the Minister said.
He noted that the khadi sector has today expanded well beyond traditional hand spun textiles and has diversified into the production of footwear, village industry products and a wide range of value-added goods.
"A majority of those employed in the sector are women, making khadi an important source of livelihood and a major contributor to the rural economy," he added.
The Minister said that Kerala remains the state that extends the highest level of support to the khadi sector in the country.
The state government continues to provide various forms of assistance, including income support to workers, helping sustain the traditional industry.
"Despite intense competition from inexpensive imported textiles, khadi products have been able to secure a strong presence even in overseas markets because of their quality and uniqueness," he added.
Muraleedharan also reaffirmed the state government's policy of giving preference to khadi products in government departments and institutions wherever feasible.
The Onam Khadi Mela, which will be held from July 23 to August 25 in the state capital city offers a government rebate of up to 30 per cent on khadi products.
Government, semi-government and bank employees can also avail themselves of credit facilities up to Rs 1 lakh for purchases.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the sentiment, but let's be honest—khadi is still too expensive for the average Indian. ₹1 lakh credit for employees is nice, but what about the daily wage worker? The minister says it's the 'spirit of India,' but if it's out of reach for most, the spirit doesn't reach everyone. Good intentions, poor execution.
I love that Kerala is leading in khadi support! Women making up the majority of workers is such an empowering move. But we need more than just melas—how about integrating khadi into school uniforms or office dress codes? That would really make it mainstream. On a side note, the Onam Mela sounds amazing! Wish I could be there to shop. 🧡
I'm an expat living in Kochi, and I have to say, khadi is one of the reasons I love India. The minister is right—it's not just fabric; it's history and identity. I bought a khadi shirt from the Mela last year, and it's so comfortable and durable. The quality really does stand out compared to cheap imports. Kudos to Kerala for keeping this alive!
The minister's words about khadi being the 'soul of the nation' are beautiful, but let's not romanticize it too much. The reality is that khadi faces huge competition from synthetic fabrics, and the sector needs modernization. We can't just rely on nostalgia—we need better designs, marketing, and online stores. Otherwise, it'll stay a niche product for the elite.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.