Kerala   

Khadi is ideal but need to look into practical aspects

The State Government's move to make uniforms in khadi material compulsory for schoolchildren once a week is seen as a boon to the khadi sector and the workers involved, and a gesture that should bring home to children the importance of the swadeshi ethos. Our readers respond:

Make it a success

Making khadi uniforms compulsory once a week for schoolchildren is both a welcome and noble gesture. It will undoubtedly be a feather in the cap of the State Government.

The new generation is getting distanced from the memories of the freedom struggle. The move will help inculcate a feeling of pride in our children as khadi symbolised national pride during the freedom movement. Wearing khadi may instil in them a desire for national service and self-discipline. Teachers can speak about the Swadeshi movement and the role of khadi in it.

Another important result is the relief it will provide to the thousands of khadi workers who find it difficult to make both ends meet owing to the ever-decreasing demand for the material and the consequent closure of khadi-making units.

If the plan to introduce khadi as school uniform succeeds, the Government will be able to reduce the subsidy being given to the sector. Everyone should help make this venture a success.

P.N.P. Nambisan

Thrissur

Increase its use

The handloom industry has reasons to smile with the Government planning to introduce khadi uniforms once a week in State-run schools.

The initial scheme to confine the move to nearly 1.7 million students in Government schools does not have any justification. All schools should be compelled to enforce wearing of khadi uniforms at least once a week. If this becomes a reality, the handloom sector, which with 2,00,000 people is the second biggest employer in the State, need not worry any more.

The overall annual production in the handloom industry has been hovering around 60 million metres for a few years. There are 50,200 looms in the State, mostly concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur districts. Of the total production, 54 per cent comes from south Kerala, 32 per cent from north Kerala and the rest from other parts of the State.

Most are in the cooperative sector and they will get their dividend when school uniforms are in khadi and they benefit from it.

S. Padmanabha Mallya

Fort Kochi

Futile move

The reported move to make khadi uniforms compulsory for schoolchildren once a week is as curious as it is futile. The greatest proponent of khadi, Mahatma Gandhi, never coerced anyone to take to khadi, as any sort of compulsion defeats the very purpose and spirit of donning khadi. It symbolises self-reliance, simplicity, devotion, and integrity. In this case, though the ends seem to be noble as well as laudable, the means do not support the cause it upholds.

Schoolchildren generally shun khadi clothes for uniform as they find them neither comfortable nor convenient. Moreover, khadi clothes demand much more effort and attention as regards washing, starching and pressing. Properly starched khadi clothes have to be ironed well. Such reforms in uniform entail extra expense, adding to the woes of the parents.

Khadi cloth is currently used by politicians whose image is far from immaculate, though the cloth is.

The rebate offered for khadi products has to be continued so as to popularise them. Literature glorifying the spirit behind wearing khadi needs to be propagated through the media. What is always important about khadi popularisation measures is the avoidance of compulsion.

N.K. Vijayan

Kizhakkambalam

Diversify uses

The decision of the State Government to introduce khadi uniforms in all schools is a welcome move. The Khadi Board should implement the decision effectively by providing adequate number of uniforms to all schoolchildren. If at all the board lacks funds, it should rope in sponsors.

The Government must gradually switch over from the introduction of khadi uniforms once a week to all working days. The board can diversify its activities and thereby sustain its existence. The Government must proceed with the decision in a speedy manner so that Gandhiji's dream of attaining self-sufficiency is realised.

K. Krishna

Kochi

More expensive

Instead of just a day, why not khadi every day? Then the extra demand will be between about 10 million and 30 million metres, enabling a corresponding improvement in employment prospects.

However, regrettably, wishful thinking ends here. Because it is handmade, khadi is more expensive than mass-produced fabrics; only politicians can afford to use it regularly!

Also, even though artisans and labourers in the sector suffer great hardships purveying their trade, not many of either are around to enhance production to meet the growing demand.

Production, even to meet the lowest demand, will have to be considerably increased; quality standardised, monitored and maintained.

Costs need to be lowered, or the State must intervene to subsidise the customers.

With cost-cutting, innovation in design and product variety, quality enhancement in terms of durability, comfort in wear and so on, khadi can sustain itself in the open market without Government patronage, which is less desirable in the long run.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

Boost to sector

Why should schoolchildren wear khadi uniform only on one day? The Government should implement the decision on all days. The khadi sector will be benefited from the move.

The private uniform cloth sector will be affected by the move, but the parents of children will be happy owing to the fall in the prices of uniform and the idea of khadi will be propagated.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Kochi

Swadeshi is ideal

When students wear khadi, they will be reminded of the Mahatma and all that he stood for. It will be a boost to the Swadeshi movement.

In modern India, this is important as we have been lately influenced by materialism, corruption and moral decay. The younger generation is our hope. Let them pick up some of the ideals of the Mahatma. It will only do good to the nation.

K. Ram Das

Haripad

Improve quality

The decision of the Government is a step in the right direction. The khadi and village industries are striving hard for their existence. The new generation does not have any experience of the fight for Independence and the role played by khadi in national integration. This step will help instil in them swadeshi values and the rich culture and heritage of the nation.

Joseph George A

Thripunithura

Affordable to all

The move to implement khadi uniforms in schools should be an eye-opener. The student community welcomes the idea as the non-cotton uniforms insulate heat and cause terrible discomfort to the students.

Khadi is sold at subsided rates and is affordable to all. The term `uniform' will hence serve its purpose.

Besides being healthy as it is cool and does not cause allergy, it gives a neat and respectable look. A student is required to look simple. Khadi can help achieve this.

Class X students

Bishop Moore Vidyapith

Kayamkulam

Not practical

The use of khadi cloth was encouraged by Gandhiji to promote self-reliance. It was also a symbol for the freedom fighters.

Even after Independence, this industry continued with heavy subsidy. Now, it is not prudent to encourage the khadi industry by doling out heavy subsidies and to popularise its use under compulsion, citing swadeshi ethos.

The country produces cheap handloom and power loom textile products in sufficient quantities, even for export. Hence, khadi production should be reduced to offset the heavy subsidy and the surplus workers redeployed or compensated under the VRS scheme.

Joy Eapen

Vennikulam

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