The corona virus pandemic has resulted in not just a global health emergency but also a global economic slowdown. India is no exception. The impact on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is especially dire as the small and locally owned businesses have been hit the hardest. One such industry under the sector is Khadi which was also a part of Mahatma Gandhi’s Constructive Program– a framework for the new India he wished to see.
Th program included a list of 13 items that he conceived as means of nation-building from the grassroot level. For Gandhi, Khadi did not just mean homespun clothes but the complete self suffecient model of economy. And it holds as much relevance even today. The Khadi industry along with other MSMEs not only plays a crucial role in providing large employment/ self-employment opportunities to numerous people including farmers and artisans but also help in industrialization of rural and backward areas. It contributes enormously to the socio-economic development of the country and promotes growth and development of other handloom, handicraft and village industries.
The adverse outcome of COVID-19 looming large over this sector naturally becomes a huge cause of concern. It becomes the responsibility of us as citizens to come together as a community and do whatever we can to help in this time of crisis.
In the words of the Mahatma- “Khadi must be taken with all its implications. It means a wholesale Swadeshi mentality, a determination to find all the necessaries of life in India and that too through the labour and intellect of the villagers. This needs a revolutionary change in the mentality and tastes of many.”
In simpler terms, Gandhi did not consider Khadi to be just handspun and handwoven clothes but a way of life. It stood for a self-sufficient model of economy, the mentality of turning to Indian goods and services for our needs instead of the West. It was an aspect of his philosophy of nationalism and Swadeshi.
Hence supporting Khadi in today’s crisis does not just mean to support the industry but to support everything Indian, especially the small, traditional industries and local businesses as they are hurting the most. Here’s what we can do at an individual level-
- Take pride in our traditional wear, including Khadi and handloom products. Bring them into the mainstream and make it part of your our wear. Gandhiji wanted all of us to take to spinning, the least we can do in this day and age is to support those who still do.
- Buy local, buy Indian- as simple as that. Buy groceries from your local vendor. Buy art from your local artist. Cut down the middlemen and go for Indian service providers wherever you can.
- Share contacts- let your network know about local businesses or service providers around you. Share the contact details of local business and entrepreneurs- your garderner, painter, fruit seller. Help them expand their customer base.
- Spread kindness. Reach out to anybody in need and offer encouragement and support in whatever way you can.
- Create awareness and encourage other people to support local and Indian businesses.
Whether it’s buying vegetables from a local vendor, offering monetary support to your regular car cleaner, or even just creating awareness around the issue, every bit counts.
We at ITDM urge you to adopt and proapagate Gandhi’s idea of Khadi and everything it stands for.