Khadi On Postage Stamps
TerraGreen|October 2019
Mahatma Gandhi encouraged and promoted khadi and the charkha in a big way as part of the Swadeshi Movement during the Indian freedom struggle. As we come together to celebrate the sesquicentennial (150th) birth anniversary of the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, N Kalyani takes a look at khadi, the fabric that Gandhiji endorsed in a big way, and how postage stamps of India, have, over the years, commemorated khadi and Gandhiji.
N Kalyani
Khadi On Postage Stamps

Khadi, or khaddar, refers to handspun and hand-woven cloth. Khadi today has acquired many dimensions and has become a fashion statement; fashion wear could be crafted from khadi. During the freedom struggle, when India was fighting British rule, khadi was central to the ideals of self-reliance and self-governance by the Indians. It was in the year 1918 that Mahatma Gandhi began the movement for Khadi as a relief programme for the poor masses of India’s villages. ‘I am convinced that Swaraj cannot come so long as the tens of millions of our brothers and sisters do not take to the charkha, do not spin, do not make khadi and wear it,’ Gandhi had said at the opening speech at the Belgaum Congress session of 1924.

Khadi was encouraged during India’s freedom struggle as the Indian handspun cloth, against both foreign cloth as also mill-made cloth. In fact, Gandhiji wrote, in the year 1929, in his publication, Navajivan, ‘The boycott of foreign cloth will succeed only when the twenty-two crore of our peasants begin to use khadi. And to convert them to the use of khadi means to explain to them the science of khadi, to show them the advantages of self-help and to teach them the entire process of khadi production. For this, we need volunteers, mobile schools, and preparation and distribution of booklets describing the processes of spinning, carding, etc.’

This story is from the October 2019 edition of TerraGreen.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2019 edition of TerraGreen.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TERRAGREENView All
Green Budgeting - A Pioneering Initiative in Puducherry
TerraGreen

Green Budgeting - A Pioneering Initiative in Puducherry

Governments worldwide are recognizing the imperative to balance economic development with ecological responsibility. Article by Balaji details the pertinence of green budget. The text has been authenticated by the case study of the Government of Puducherry whereby the UT has made noteworthy efforts in the upward allocation of green funds to strengthen climate resilience.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
Beyond Crop Yields - Building a Future Where Biofertilizers Aid Farmers, Feed Families, and Fight Climate Change sustainable future for all.
TerraGreen

Beyond Crop Yields - Building a Future Where Biofertilizers Aid Farmers, Feed Families, and Fight Climate Change sustainable future for all.

This article by Dr Mandira Kochar and Dr Vatsala Koul engages the readers with the concern of rising global food demand which is highly likely to escalate by 70% by 2050. To increase crop yield, farmers make extensive use of chemical fertilizers. This practice has a number of negative consequences on both environment and human health. This calls for sustainable practices of augmenting crop yield. By promoting these practices, we can mitigate climate change impacts, empower vulnerable communities, and build

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024
Revolutionizing the Polymer Industry - Shaping Sustainable Biopolymer-based Solutions
TerraGreen

Revolutionizing the Polymer Industry - Shaping Sustainable Biopolymer-based Solutions

Article by Dr Ruchi Agrawal, Professor Himadri B. Bohidar, and Prabhpreet Kaur is autobiographical in nature. Authors share their insights on the escalating concerns of petrochemical plastics. They also highlight, it is high time, mankind shifts its focus of research and development objectives towards the synthesis of biodegradable polymers and their derivatives to make this industry environmentally benign.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024
India's Energy Transition - Unravelling Fiscal Challenges and Institutional Concerns
TerraGreen

India's Energy Transition - Unravelling Fiscal Challenges and Institutional Concerns

India’s transition towards clean energy is certain to pose significant fiscal challenges. Fossil fuels have traditionally been a significant revenue source for the government, this article by Dr Laveesh Bhandari and Dr Rajat Verma, has been dedicated to the fiscal implications that are to be borne in mind to arrive at equilibrium in the taxes. Policymakers can navigate through these issues and establish a robust fiscal framework by considering a mix of conventional and non-conventional forms of taxes.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
Women Farmers' Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation
TerraGreen

Women Farmers' Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation

‘Feminization’ of Indian agriculture sector forms the subject matter of this engaging article contributed by Dr Nitya Nanda and Dr Susmita Mitra. Addressing the challenges faced by women farmers is crucial for achieving climate justice and sustainable development. Moreover, sustainable development emphasizes the need to enhance community resilience and strengthening the resilience of women farmers could contribute to the overall resilience of rural communities.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
Unlocking a Greener Future with Conscious Living
TerraGreen

Unlocking a Greener Future with Conscious Living

Embarking on a journey towards sustainable living begins with the evaluation of our daily practices and their impact on the environment. As we navigate a world grappling with environmental challenges, recent events like COP28 have underscored the urgency of transitioning to clean energy and revaluating our lifestyles and consumption patterns. This article by Priyanka Anand delves into the concept of sustainability and its significance and offers practical ways of embracing eco-friendly practices in our daily lives.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024
Role of Local Leadership in Attaining Sustainable Development Goals -
TerraGreen

Role of Local Leadership in Attaining Sustainable Development Goals -

The present article makes the readers aware on the pertinence of local leadership in realizing the mandates of SDGs. Anuradha Saigal and Divya Bawa have relevantly explained the motivating factors that could drive local leaders to contribute to the SDGs, followed by the reasons attributable for their failure, and concluded by the solutions for strengthening local leadership, for fostering effective and sustainable solutions. Authors are of the opinion that empowering local leaders with diverse support is crucial for achieving local outcomes that not only align with community priorities but contribute to global sustainability goals.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
Sustainable Delivery of Green Power -Enabled by Core, Power Electronics, and Digital Technologies
TerraGreen

Sustainable Delivery of Green Power -Enabled by Core, Power Electronics, and Digital Technologies

This article by Akilur Rahman reinforces our comprehension of some of the relevant issues and solutions pertaining to green energy generation. In this regard, power electronics and digital technologies have responsible roles to play for realization of seamless and emission-less generation, distribution, and consumption of energy.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2024
Addressing Urban Floods in Indian Cities - Bridging Inequities for Enhanced Resilience
TerraGreen

Addressing Urban Floods in Indian Cities - Bridging Inequities for Enhanced Resilience

Reducing flood vulnerability can play a significant role in reducing inequity among the urban poor even if exposed to recurrent floods. Article by Dr Debolina Kundu and Vaishnavi T. G. Shankar stresses on the investment in well-designed storm water drains, upgraded housing infrastructure, and improved access to basic services. It is not merely an infrastructure upgrade; it is a vital step towards ensuring safety, well-being, and future sustainability of marginalized communities. As cities evolve, prioritizing the resilience of those who are most vulnerable becomes not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for building a more inclusive and resilient urban landscape.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024
Pioneering Climate Finance in India
TerraGreen

Pioneering Climate Finance in India

Through this article, Manish Chourasia, has shed light on the significance of climate finance to reduce repercussions associated with climate change. India’s plans on mitigating climate change are facing limitations, largely due to the insufficient capacity of the involved institutions. This has created a void in sector’s understanding, hindering the flow of channelled capital into the sector. The author has explained how Tata Group has been instrumental in mainstreaming the renewable energy sector and is working to make the emerging cleantech segments more attractive. The organization is focused on its chosen sectors and markets, working with partners to channelize necessary expertise, capital and realize India’s climate goals.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024