Delhi based designer Sunaina Suneja, a self-confessed Mahatma Gandhi fan, is on a mission to revive the popularity of Khadi. And just like Gandhi's birth anniversary Oct 2 is observed as the World Non-Violence Day, she wants a day dedicated to the hand-spun and hand-woven cloth.
"Khadi is more than a fabric - it's a concept. By encouraging people to wear Khadi which is hand woven, Gandhiji encouraged self-reliance and empowerment. Unfortunately, its popularity is dwindling. A National Khadi Day which will encourage people to wear the fabric at least once a year will help revive the concept and in turn pay homage to the father of the nation," Suneja told IANS at her Hauz Khas boutique.
Wearing a pale pink Khadi suit, Suneja sat amid a collage of clothes - in different colours, shapes and sizes - but all in Khadi in her store.
"I have written to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission asking them to declare Sep 11 as National Khadi Day because this was when Gandhiji started the Satyagraha movement.
"If his birth anniversary has been declared the World Non-Violence Day, then why not pay our respects to him on the day he started an important movement in the freedom struggle?" she said.
Suneja strongly recommends wearing Khadi as it suits Indian weather conditions.
"Khadi is perfect for the Indian weather, especially the summers and when the humidity is high. It's a fabric you can breathe in, it softens after use, is eco-friendly and can be used to make anything - from dresses and pants to skirts and even bags. It really doesn't have to be a boring kurta, as the perception generally is," Suneja added.
A funky Khadi tee-shirt with Gandhi's words "Be the change you want to see in the world" hung behind her - emphasising her words.
"In my own way I am trying to reach out to the younger lot. They are the future and they are the ones Khadi has to appeal to," said Suneja with a smile.