Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Khadi Utsav at the Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad. The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Member of Parliament C R Patil, State Ministers Harsh Sanghvi and Jagdish Panchal, Ahmedabad Mayor Kiritbhai Parmar, and Chairman of KVIC Manoj Kumar.
In his address to the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled his personal connection with Charkha and his childhood memories of his mother working on Charkha. "The bank of Sabarmati has become blessed today as 7,500 sisters and daughters have created history by spinning yarn on a spinning wheel together on the occasion of 75 years of independence," he said. " He went on to say that spinning on charkha is nothing short of a form of worship.
He praised the technology and design of the 'Atal Bridge,' which he dedicated today. He stated that the bridge is a tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who the people of Gujarat have always loved and revered. "The Tal Bridge not only connects the two banks of the Sabarmati River, but it is also ground- breaking in terms of design and innovation." "The famous Gujarat kite festival has also been considered in its design," he said.
Modi also remarked on how enthusiastically the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign was received in India. He stated that the celebrations here reflected not only patriotic feelings but also a desire for a modern and progressive society. He stated that the celebrations here reflected not only patriotic feelings but also a desire for a modern and developed India. "While spinning yarn on the Charkha, your hands are weaving the fabric of India," he added.
The Prime Minister emphasised the benefits of Khadi, stating that it is an example of sustainable clothing, eco-friendly clothing, and has the lowest carbon footprint. There are many countries where the temperature is high; Khadi is also very important from a health standpoint. As a result, Khadi has the potential to play a significant role on a global scale. He said this in response to the global trend toward more basic and sustainable living.
The Prime Minister urged the people of the country to gift only Khadi Village Industries products during the upcoming festive season. "You can wear clothes made of various fabrics. But if you include Khadi in that, the Vocal for Local campaign will gain traction," the Prime Minister said.
Recalling how, in previous decades, India's own prosperous toy industry had been destroyed in the race for foreign toys, the Prime Minister highlighted how, thanks to the government's efforts and the hard work of our brothers and sisters in the toy industries, the situation has now begun to change. As a result, the import of toys has dropped dramatically.
The Prime Minister also encouraged people to watch the Doordarshan serial 'Swaraj.' The serial depicts in great detail the story of the great freedom fighters and their struggle. Families should watch the series to understand and learn about our forefathers' sacrifice for our independence.
The Prime Minister has worked tirelessly to popularise Khadi, raise awareness about Khadi products, and encourage youth to use Khadi. As a result of the Prime Minister's efforts, the sale of Khadi in India has increased fourfold since 2014, while the sale of Khadi in Gujarat has increased eightfold.
Khadi Utsav is a one-of-a-kind event being held as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay tribute to khadi and its significance during the freedom struggle. The Utsav will be held at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront and will feature 7500 women khadi artisans from various districts of Gujarat spinning charkha live at the same time and place.
The event will also include an exhibition showcasing the "Evolution of Charkhas," with 22 Charkhas from various generations used since the 1920s on display. It will include charkhas such as the "Yerwada Charkha," which represents the charkhas used during the freedom struggle, as well as charkhas with the most recent innovations and technology.
A live demonstration of Ponduru Khadi production was also performed. During the event, the Prime Minister also dedicated the Gujarat Rajya Khadi Gramodyog Board's new office building and the 'Atal Bridge,' a foot-over bridge in Sabarmati.
