Khadi slips into oblivion in Uttarakhand

Successive governments in the state have not been sympathetic towards needs of the Khadi industry and artisans associated with it, leading to shortage of funds to purchase raw material and decreasing numbers of workers in khadi manufacturing units in the state, according to institutes located in Kumaon region. Khadi ashram Chanauda in Almora district, established by Shanti Lal Trivedi, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, which is the lone manufacturing Khadi institute in the district is not in a position to manufacture the required quantity due to lack of money to purchase the raw material.

“We are selling khadi items worth Rs 5 cr per year against a market demand of khadi goods worth Rs 10 cr but due to lack of money with the organisation to purchase raw wool, we are not in position to meet the demand,” manager of Kshetriya Shri Gandhi Ashram Chanauda Hem Chandra Pant said. The khadi organisation used to provide employment to over 4,000 people in Kumaon region when processors of raw wool, weavers of wool and cotton thread even operated from their homes, he said. But, the number is slowly declining as Khadi institutes have no money to purchase raw material according to the demands of the market, he added. 

“If promoted with patronage from the state government, Khadi is able to give employment to over 10,000 farmers, sheep herd owners and those working at cottage industry at their homes,” Pant said. Apart from Shri Gandhi Ashram Chanauda headed by Pant, the khadi industry in Uttarakhand, especially Kumaon, is represented by Gandhi ashram in Haldwani, the state run Khadi Gramodyog Board which has its manufacturing units in Almora, Nainital and US Nagar districts besides independent khadi weavers.