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Home » India » PM Modi replaces Bapu in khadi udyog’s calendar, diary; staff protested

PM Modi replaces Bapu in khadi udyog’s calendar, diary; staff protested

By Newsd
Updated on :
Source: newsx

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) attracted huge controversy after PM Narendra Modi’s picture replaces Mahatma Gandhi’s from the agency’s calendar and diaries. The development also prompts protests from a section of employees.

Reportedly, employees of KVIC staged “a silent soul-cleansing” on Thursday at its Mumbai headquarters. They prayed before Gandhi’s statue, and later staged a protest wearing black bands on their mouths.

Notably, PM Modi can be seen weaving khadi on a charkha, which is reminiscent of Gandhi’s well-known pose, in this year’s calendar and diary.

KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena on this entire controversy said, this was not the first time Gandhi’s picture was not on the calendar and diaries. Last year, along with in 2013 and 2005, Gandhi’s image was missing.

“It is not compulsory and there is no rule (on having Gandhi’s image). Gandhiji has been the biggest brand ambassador for khadi and will always remain so. The entire khadi sector owes its existence to Gandhiji’s philosophy and ideas and there is no question of ignoring him,” Saxena told TOI over the phone.

He also said that only a few staff, who was union members, had protested.

However, KVIC staff isn’t convinced. “We are pained at this systematic easing out of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, philosophy and ideals by the government. Last year, the first minor attempt was made by including the PM’s photos in the calendar,” said a senior KVIC staffer as per a report.

According to Saxena, the PM was also making a vast contribution to promote khadi. Its sales had shot up too. PM Modi had made many references to khadi in his radio address. Apart from that several other steps had been initiated at his directive.

“Our sales are growing at over 37% this year. In the last decade this rate ranged between 3% and 7%,” Saxena said. The theme in this year’s calendars and diaries were “modern” and promoting new concepts, he added.

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