KHADI INSTITUTION
STORIES
Khadi Institutions are certified institutions which produce and sell Khadi. Many of these institutions were formed under the guidance of Gandhi ji. These institutions have stood the test of time and have played a crucial role in the development of Khadi products supply chain.
In the first year of the program, CoEK is working with fifteen Khadi Institutions spread across all four regions of the country. These institutions are based in the states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and others.
Kshetriya Shri Gandhi Ashram
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's speech at Benaras University in the 1920s, a group of students decided to leave their education and contribute to the nation's development for an independent India. Guided by Acharya J.B Kriplani, they established the Kshetriya Shri Gandhi Ashram in Varanasi, starting from a rented house in Ishwar Gangi. Prominent leaders like Gandhi Ji, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shri Govind Ballabh Pant, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Shri Vichitra Narain Sharma served as lifetime trustees. The organization aimed to provide rural livelihood opportunities and served society. Today, the Hazratganj building stands as a symbol of the organization's journey. It was formerly a renowned restaurant and ballroom during the colonial era but later became the home of the Kshetriya Shri Gandhi Ashram, housing a modern outlet for the Khadi and Village Industries Commission after India's Independence.
Swarajya Ashram
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Located in the heart of the vibrant city of Kanpur, the aim of creating Swaraj Ashram is rooted in the very name of this organisation. Ideated in the epoch of the life of free India, the history of this organisation dates back to the non-cooperation movement in the 1920s. The campaign decided that 'swaraj' (self-rule) would be achieved by spinning 2,00,000 charkhas. The seed of forming this organisation was sown by two disciples of Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Ramanand Gupta, and Shri Ganga Narayan Awasthi took upon themselves the task of fulfilling Gandhiji's ambition that he had envisioned to make India free. Ganga Narayan Awasthi formally registered the organisation in 1935 with a capital of INR 13000. The organisation stands tall today as a legacy of Indian freedom struggles and exemplifies its contribution to the freedom movement. Swaraj Ashram was graced by the leadership of India's Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastriji. Over the years, Swaraj Ashram carried forward the vision of its founders, set in the foundation of social work and rural empowerment.
Bikaner Visudh Khadi Gramodyog Samiti
Rajasthan
In 1975, Mr. Krishna Vyas began as a wool trader, supplying Khadi Institutions in Bikaner. In 1990, he established his own Khadi Institution, formally registered in 1993. Initially producing carpets and blankets, they expanded into Khadi fabric and apparel manufacturing in 2005-2006. Fashion shows were organized in 2006-2007 to promote Khadi, leading to increased demand. Collaborating with R.U.D.A, the organization provided garment stitching training for self-employment. Currently, they have 140 spinners and 30 weavers.
Gandhigram Khadi & V.I. Public Charitable Trust
Dindigal, Tamil Nadu
Gandhigram, a non-profit organization in Tamil Nadu, was founded by Dr. T.S. Soundaram and Dr. G. Ramachandran, disciples of Mahatma Gandhi. It aimed to empower villages and achieve holistic development. The ashram was formally opened on October 7, 1947, and initially focused on primary education. Over time, its objectives expanded to include social welfare, healthcare, self-employment through hand spinning and weaving, and other activities. Gandhiji sent a telegram with a handwritten message during the inaugural function, stating, "Success Attains Where Truth Reigns."
Padiyur Sarvodaya Sangh
Padiyur, Tamil Nadu
Padiyur is a historic village in the draught-prone Kangayam block of Tirupur District, Tamil Nadu. It has mentions in ancient epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. From 2500 B.C. to the 10th Century A.D., Padiyur thrived as a commercial center for exquisite jewelry, particularly renowned for its green stones. In 1923, Padiyur Sarvodaya Sangh was established under the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, led by E.V. Ramasamy. In 1961, it became part of the decentralized Tamilnadu Sarvodaya Sangh, covering eight revenue villages and a population of 24,000. Khadi activities started in Padiyur in 1940 under the All India Spinners Association. Over 50 years, the Sangh has grown into a large institution with 15 branches, 88 workers, and a turnover of 10 crores in Khadi and village industry activities. Various village industrial units, including textiles, silk, cotton, handlooms, crafts, non-edible oil, soap, leather, neem oil, agarbatti, and butter, are established in different branches of the Sangh.
Bhal Nalkantha Khadi Gramodyog Mandal
Ranpur, Gujarat
Established in 1958, Bhal Nalkantha Khadi Gramodyog Mandal aimed to empower women and backward class members in the Bhal region of Gujarat. Jain Muni Sant Balji, dedicated to social work for unemployed women and the backward class community of Ranpur, founded the institution. He advocated for self-dependence following Gandhian principles and received the Bharat Ratna for his social contributions. Balji focused on creating employment opportunities, establishing educational institutions, and working for the welfare of the Mal community in Ranpur. The institution enabled local women to engage in spinning, hand weaving, hand knitting, dyeing, and stitching woollen Khadi products. In 1976, at the request of Babubhai Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a Khadi institution was initiated in the Bhal region, with Naval Bhai Shah serving as the first chairman of Bhal Nalkantha Khadi Gramodyog Mandal.
Kshetriya Khadi
Gramodyog Samiti
Dausa, Rajashthan
After Indian Independence in 1948, the decentralization of Akhil Bharat Charkha Sangh led to the establishment of Rajasthan Khadi. The Khadi Sangh was further divided into block-level organizations, forming clusters of Khadi spinners and weavers. On April 1, 1967, under the guidance of Shri Naval Kishor Sharma, Kshetriya Khadi Gramodyog Samiti was founded in Dausa, Rajasthan. Shri Naval Kishor Sharma played a crucial role in transforming the institution into a national-level organization. Operating in collaboration with 52 Panchayats and 240 villages, the Dausa wing of Khadi Gramodyog expanded with nine production centers and twenty-six spinning and weaving units. The institution focuses on cotton and wool Khadi fabrics, producing a range of products such as khadi denim, polyvastra, shirting fabric, towels, dupattas, and stitched apparel. The organization has showcased its Khadi products internationally in countries like Chile, Peru, Australia, and Russia. At Kshetriya Khadi Gramodyog Samiti, emphasis is placed on continuous innovation and skill enhancement for its employees.
Udyog Bharti
Gondal, Gujarat
Udyog Bharti was founded, in 1957, from a small rented room with ten spinners spinning yarn on Gandhi charkha. The organisation was started with the aim of women empowerment and empowering the backward classes of the Gondal region of Gujarat. Spinning gave women an occupation that they could pursue from their homes. It was started under the leadership of Mr Hargovindbhai Patel, who has engaged with Saurashtra rachnatmak Samiti and Rashtriya Shala, Rajkot, to develop Khadi in Gondal. Hargovindbhai learnt how to produce khadi from Nashik, Maharashtra, and then he worked with Rashtriya Shala, Rajkot, before starting his organisation in Gondal. Hargovindbhai Patel was fondly called Mantri Ji by his employees. Udyog Bharti was a pioneer in developing Ambar charkha by giving hand-spinning a new path for a commercial institute. Mr Hargovind was involved in the innovation and development of the Ambar charkha spinning units. Presently the institute is Managed by Mr Chandrakant Patel, son of Mr Hargovindbhai Patel
Bharat Khadi Sewak Sangha
Murshidabad, Kolkata
Bharat Khadi Sevak Sangha was established on March 23, 1959, with the aim of organizing a nationwide "SANGHA" of Khadi Sevaks. It was chaired by the late Kameswar Thakur, a prominent Khadi supporter and respected figure in Bihar's social work field. The institution's founder secretary was Late Nrisingha Prasad Biswas, a veteran Khadi creator, freedom fighter, and social worker. The institution began training rural artisans in hand-spun and hand-woven clothing, providing livelihood opportunities for landless laborers, farmers, and other rural artisans. Initially, three weavers were brought together, and the institution expanded its efforts to include underprivileged village artisans. The focus is on providing training to Khadi workers for promoting livelihood and the growth of the Khadi industry. Currently, the institution collaborates with 336 women artisans and 347 men artisans, emphasizing employment and income generation. Their core objectives include imparting fine arts education, educating villagers about silk fiber-related technology, and training villagers in various areas of knowledge, such as silk reeling, hand weaving, cotton spinning, and muslin weaving using the charkha.
Chandrakanta Lalit Mohan Resham Khadi Samity
Murshidabad, Kolkata
During British rule, indigenous industries faced setbacks. The Saha brothers, Chandrakanta and Lalitmohan Saha of Chak Islampur district, approached Gandhi Ji, emphasizing the importance of the silk industry in the country's economy. They urged him to include silk in the 'Khadi' program. Initially hesitant due to concerns about violence, Gandhi Ji witnessed the production process and agreed to include silk in Khadi in 1925. The introduction of cotton yarn spinning followed in the village. The Chandrakanta and Lalitmohan Resham Khadi Samity was founded on July 19, 1954, and obtained the Khadi Certificate in 1955. In 1966, when the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) was established, the Samity became part of it. The organization's objective is to serve the entire village, eradicate untouchability, and provide dignified self-employment to rural artisans through the expansion of the Khadi and Village Industry Program. Their efforts have uplifted socio-economic and morale levels of artisans, promoting self-employment through Khadi and Village Industries. The Samity has expanded its work to include literacy programs, health awareness initiatives, and a focus on clothing self-reliance (Vastra-Swavalamban).
Barkhetri Unnayan Samity
Nalbari, Assam
Barkhetri Unnayan Samiti, established in 1976 in Makalmua village, Nalbari district of Assam, was founded by U.C Medhi (Founder Secretary) and S. Medhi (Founder President). Initially, the institution aimed to provide livelihood solutions for women in flood-affected areas near Makalmua. Due to annual flooding in the Brahmaputra river, men would migrate in search of work, leaving women and children behind. The institution was created to empower women through home-based economic activities, leveraging their traditional knowledge of hand spinning and weaving. In 1979-80, the Barkhetri Unnayan Samiti registered with KVIC. Today, it engages approximately 620 hand-spinners, ten hand-jacquard loom weavers, 90 Eri silk weavers, and ten Muga silk weavers across 21 villages in and around Makalmua.
Gram Swaraj Parishad
Rangia, Assam
Gram Swaraj Parishad (GSP) is a voluntary organisation established in 1974 as a destitute home for twenty orphans. In 1978, they obtained Khadi Certification and began working with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission to provide employment opportunities to rural underprivileged individuals, particularly women in the Rangia area. Founded by Niranjan Kalita, the organisation is currently managed by his son, Dibya Jyoti Kalita. Operating in ten villages in Assam's Kamrup district, GSP works closely with around 800 artisans. The institution has a governing body consisting of community members who meet biannually to oversee its operations, make decisions, and address any community grievances. Additionally, there is a fourteen-member managing committee, including leading artisans and a representative from KVIC. GSP primarily focuses on producing Eri silk textiles such as yardage, men's shawls, and stoles. They also work with Muga silk, weaving yardage and traditional Mekhela-Chador ensembles, which are local garments in the region.
