Modi urges all to blend Khadi with their everyday lifestyle to help poor

Exhorting everyone to take forward the "Khadi movement" by adopting Khadi in their lifestyle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said increased interest of youth in Khadi has led to employment generation amongst the lower strata of society. In his monthly address "Mann Ki Baat" aired on AIR today, the PM said, "Khadi is not a fabric but an idea, a principle. These days, interest in Khadi has increased. People are not asked to wear it permanently but make it one of the fabrics of their choice.'

He said 'in order to promote Khadi, government is offering discount on the fabric from October 2. The initiative will help increase Khadi sales which will in turn help the poor who are engaged in the Khadi business to be able to light a Diwali lamp in their house. The increasing interest in Khadi has infused a new thinking in those working in the Khadi sector as well as those connected, in any way, with Khadi.'

PM said,' revival of Khadi is necessary to bring in new technology, increase productivity, to introduce looms driven by solar power and and rejuvenate our traditional heritage lying inactive for decades.' Mr Modi said sick units such as Sewapuri Khadi Ashram at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh which was lying closed for over two decades has got a fresh lease of life and now creating employment for a number of people.

Other such units across the country too were pulled out of the rot like the Khadi Gramodyog at Pampore in Kashmir whose training centre was revived giving the new generation a boost in jobs in manufacturing, in weaving and creating new things. Mr Modi said, "People are gradually becoming aware about the importance of adopting "Khadi" as even the big corporate Houses have started including Khadi items as Diwali gifts. People have started exchanging Khadi items as gifts. We now experience how something grows naturally.'