Khadi commands a sentimental value for Indians. It is often associated with Mahatma Gandhi. Someone said, the first true Indian designer was Mahatma because of his appeal to Indians to wear khadi garments. That appeal was necessitated because of the need of creating self reliance and proving unity of India to English. Khadi also symbolized the need and importance of indigenous manufactured goods. Khadi represented India’s resistance and revolution. Khadi was also the face of Indian identity. Many people get confused between charkha with kargha (handloom). The basic difference between the two is while khadi is handmade; handloom yarn is processed at the mills. Khadi is not just a cloth, it is a whole movement started by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The Khadi movement aimed at boycotting foreign goods and promoting Indian goods, Thereby improving India’s economy. Mahatma Gandhi began promoting the spinning of khadi for rural self-employment and self-reliance (instead of using cloth manufactured industrially in Britain) in 1920s India thus making khadi an integral part and icon of the Swadeshi movement. The freedom struggle revolved around the use of khadi fabrics and the dumping of foreign-made clothes. When some people complained about the costliness of khadi to Mahatma Gandhi, he started wearing only loincloth. Thus it symbolized the political ideas and independence itself, and to this day most politicians in India are seen only in khadi clothing. The flag of India is only allowed to be made from this material, although in practice many flag manufacturers, especially those outside of India, ignore this rule.
Mahatma Gandhi began promoting the spinning of Khadi for rural self-employment in 1920s in India. He also wanted to spread the message of not using foreign clothes. The freedom struggle revolved around the use of Khadi fabrics and the dumping of foreign-made clothes. Thus it symbolized the political ideas and independence itself, and to this day most politicians in India are seen only in Khadi clothing. The flag of India is technically only allowed to be made from this material.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commissions (KVIC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament. It is a forward looking institution responsible for planning, promotion, organization and implementation of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development. The KVIC is also charged with the responsibility of encouraging and promoting research in the production techniques and equipment employed in the Khadi and Village Industries sector.
The Jharkhand State Khadi and Village Industries Board came into existence in 2004 and is today focused on “Quality and Branding” aspects with an eye to tap the growing overseas market. Initiatives have been taken to become hi-tech in the readymade garment sector and are in nagotiation with an US agency to explore possibilities in expert markets. Modern offices, tie-ups with top of the line design houses like NIFT, new emporia and setting up of Khadi Parks at Amda, Rajnagar (Seraikela – Kharswan) and designer are under rapid implementation.