<p>A movement to envisage sustainable development in harmony with nature is gaining momentum in Karnataka. At this juncture, S Narendra Prasad reflects upon the growth of khadi initiative in Mysuru region<br /><br /></p>.<p>Mahatma Gandhi’s conceptualisation of khadi as a symbol of freedom and sustainability led to the consideration of charkha (spinning wheel) as the symbol of non-violent economic self-sufficiency. This led to the emergence of many khadi production centres in Mysuru during the regime of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. An offshoot of the freedom movement, these khadi production centres enhanced the rural employment opportunities to a great <br />extent.<br /><br />One of the main areas to play host to such units were the villages in and around <br />Nanjangud. Every alternate home had a charkha of itself and the area was known for its quality khadi cloth. A symbol of tradition, economic empowerment and nationalism, khadi inspired many people in this region and added to their patriotism. In the 1920s, a Khadi <br />Spinning Centre was established in Badanavalu. The elderly recall the centre working to its full capacity till the early years of 1970s. Looking at the employment opportunities generated, the government made attempts to ascertain the prospects of reviving the hand-spinning industry as a subsidiary occupation among the economically-deprived rural communities. <br /><br />Consequently, the services of experts from All India Spinners Association were utilised and around 1,000 charkhas were installed in the village, producing cloth valued at Rs 1,800. In the year of its commencement, the Stores Purchase Committee placed an order for cloth worth Rs 10,200 from this centre for all its government servants. The dedicated efforts also gave birth to similar occupations like spinning, weaving, dying, mat weaving, handmade paper, jute and match industry in the area.<br /><br />During 1928-29, 60 weavers from the Adikarnataka Community, who were primarily farmers were employed to weave the yarn. The working capital of the centre was raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 in this period. Next year, khadi worth Rs 13,992 was sold to several departments of the government and khadi worth Rs 14,049 was sold to the public. <br /><br />A symbol of freedom<br /><br />In line with the efforts, another unit was opened in the tiny village of Tagadur, 14 km from Nanjangud. Known for its Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple, Tagadur flourished as a khadi centre thanks to the initiatives of Ramachandra Rao. It was right here, in this Temple, that Khaddar Society was floated in 1925 by Ramachandra, who later came to be know as Tagadur Ramachandra Rao. Stressing on the importance of local participation, <br />Ramachandra visited villages like Hanumanpura and Konanuru to recruit spinners and instill the passion of spinning amongst the local people. <br /><br />To reach a wider audience, he even floated Khaddar Paraspara Sahaya Sangha, a co-operative concern at Landsowne Building in Mysore on June 12, 1925. In many ways, Tagadur can be considered as the first milestone in khadi trails. At one time, it employed around 500 people from the underprivileged class. Around the same time, the inmates at Central Jail in Bengaluru also took up spinning and weaving and their products, particularly the carpets were in great demand.<br /><br />Another khadi centre at Terakanambi made much progress in the early 1930s and started attracting the attention of leaders, who believed in Gandhian economies. A khadi centre was also built in Ajjampura by the Kadur District Board in the same year. Next year, another centre was established at Aimangala by the Chitaldoorg(now Chitradurga) District Board. During 1931-32, district boards of Bangalore and Tumkur submitted their proposals to open Khadi Centres at Sarjapura and Madhugiri and all these centres made steady progress. <br />Later, Terakanambi Centre was amalgamated with that of Badanavalu. The Centre in the due course, diversified its product line and started manufacturing soap, handmade paper and stood as a model to those who idealised Gandhian constructive programmes.<br /><br />Output from all these centres increased in line with the public demand. Later, <br />another centre at Gorur was opened by Hassan District Board. Even Kolar District Board opened a centre in Hosur. In 1935, the Badanavalu Centre had 2,600 spinners and 130 weavers in total. <br /><br />On one of his yatras to seek support for the Harijan Movement, Gandhi visited Mysore State in 1934. He was accompanied by Tagadur Ramachandra Rao, V Venkatappa and others on his trip to Tagadur. Later he visited Badanavalu. He was very pleased by the progress Badanavalu Khadi Centre was making. <br /><br />After his first trip in 1927 as a part of khadi tour, this was his second visit to the village. During his tour, Gandhi interacted with the spinners and explained why khadi was important to him and the freedom movement. His visit proved to be a great stimulus to all the employees and set the course for greater production figures. <br /><br />Khadi is more than a means of employment. It is a living symbol of the years of hard struggle for independence and freedom. In its weaves, it holds many a stories of Indian history.</p>
<p>A movement to envisage sustainable development in harmony with nature is gaining momentum in Karnataka. At this juncture, S Narendra Prasad reflects upon the growth of khadi initiative in Mysuru region<br /><br /></p>.<p>Mahatma Gandhi’s conceptualisation of khadi as a symbol of freedom and sustainability led to the consideration of charkha (spinning wheel) as the symbol of non-violent economic self-sufficiency. This led to the emergence of many khadi production centres in Mysuru during the regime of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. An offshoot of the freedom movement, these khadi production centres enhanced the rural employment opportunities to a great <br />extent.<br /><br />One of the main areas to play host to such units were the villages in and around <br />Nanjangud. Every alternate home had a charkha of itself and the area was known for its quality khadi cloth. A symbol of tradition, economic empowerment and nationalism, khadi inspired many people in this region and added to their patriotism. In the 1920s, a Khadi <br />Spinning Centre was established in Badanavalu. The elderly recall the centre working to its full capacity till the early years of 1970s. Looking at the employment opportunities generated, the government made attempts to ascertain the prospects of reviving the hand-spinning industry as a subsidiary occupation among the economically-deprived rural communities. <br /><br />Consequently, the services of experts from All India Spinners Association were utilised and around 1,000 charkhas were installed in the village, producing cloth valued at Rs 1,800. In the year of its commencement, the Stores Purchase Committee placed an order for cloth worth Rs 10,200 from this centre for all its government servants. The dedicated efforts also gave birth to similar occupations like spinning, weaving, dying, mat weaving, handmade paper, jute and match industry in the area.<br /><br />During 1928-29, 60 weavers from the Adikarnataka Community, who were primarily farmers were employed to weave the yarn. The working capital of the centre was raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 in this period. Next year, khadi worth Rs 13,992 was sold to several departments of the government and khadi worth Rs 14,049 was sold to the public. <br /><br />A symbol of freedom<br /><br />In line with the efforts, another unit was opened in the tiny village of Tagadur, 14 km from Nanjangud. Known for its Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple, Tagadur flourished as a khadi centre thanks to the initiatives of Ramachandra Rao. It was right here, in this Temple, that Khaddar Society was floated in 1925 by Ramachandra, who later came to be know as Tagadur Ramachandra Rao. Stressing on the importance of local participation, <br />Ramachandra visited villages like Hanumanpura and Konanuru to recruit spinners and instill the passion of spinning amongst the local people. <br /><br />To reach a wider audience, he even floated Khaddar Paraspara Sahaya Sangha, a co-operative concern at Landsowne Building in Mysore on June 12, 1925. In many ways, Tagadur can be considered as the first milestone in khadi trails. At one time, it employed around 500 people from the underprivileged class. Around the same time, the inmates at Central Jail in Bengaluru also took up spinning and weaving and their products, particularly the carpets were in great demand.<br /><br />Another khadi centre at Terakanambi made much progress in the early 1930s and started attracting the attention of leaders, who believed in Gandhian economies. A khadi centre was also built in Ajjampura by the Kadur District Board in the same year. Next year, another centre was established at Aimangala by the Chitaldoorg(now Chitradurga) District Board. During 1931-32, district boards of Bangalore and Tumkur submitted their proposals to open Khadi Centres at Sarjapura and Madhugiri and all these centres made steady progress. <br />Later, Terakanambi Centre was amalgamated with that of Badanavalu. The Centre in the due course, diversified its product line and started manufacturing soap, handmade paper and stood as a model to those who idealised Gandhian constructive programmes.<br /><br />Output from all these centres increased in line with the public demand. Later, <br />another centre at Gorur was opened by Hassan District Board. Even Kolar District Board opened a centre in Hosur. In 1935, the Badanavalu Centre had 2,600 spinners and 130 weavers in total. <br /><br />On one of his yatras to seek support for the Harijan Movement, Gandhi visited Mysore State in 1934. He was accompanied by Tagadur Ramachandra Rao, V Venkatappa and others on his trip to Tagadur. Later he visited Badanavalu. He was very pleased by the progress Badanavalu Khadi Centre was making. <br /><br />After his first trip in 1927 as a part of khadi tour, this was his second visit to the village. During his tour, Gandhi interacted with the spinners and explained why khadi was important to him and the freedom movement. His visit proved to be a great stimulus to all the employees and set the course for greater production figures. <br /><br />Khadi is more than a means of employment. It is a living symbol of the years of hard struggle for independence and freedom. In its weaves, it holds many a stories of Indian history.</p>
