Concept
“Khadi” means any cloth woven on handloom from cotton, silk or wool which is spun into yarn on a spinning wheel or from a mixture of any two or all of such yarn. It is a versatile fabric; cool in summer and warm in winter and is widely accepted in the fashion circles. Khadi is being promoted in Assam by Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board (AKVIB), Govt. of Assam.
Khadi can be cotton, silk or wool. The difference between Khadi and handloom fabrics is apparent in the texture. The small weaving errors or unevenness give it the particular Khadi charm. Khadi blends with other fibers to make raw Silk Khadi, Tussar Silk, Matka Khadi, Poly Khadi, and many more. Khadi has the unique property of keeping the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer. The more you wash it, the better it looks and feels. Khadi is more than a fabric; it is a way of life. It stands for independence and for going back to the basics.
Khadi over the decades has moved from a freedom fighter’s identity fabric to a fashion garment. Today’s Khadi has many faces which are not just restricted to cotton. The precise technology involved in the production of Khadi varies from region to region, as do the techniques used for its decoration (dyeing, embroidery, printing etc). Today there is such an increasing demand for Khadi that despite the millions of workers all over the country involved in spinning it, they are unable to meet the demand from the market. Yet it is this handmade quality of the fabric with its inherent defects which is the beauty of Khadi. And that exclusivity is what the Khadi connoisseur craves at all times. Khadi is not just a sound economic proposition but also a science and a romance.
The khadi has been divided into 4 groups -
(a) Cotton Khadi
(b) Silk Khadi (Eri, Muga and Pat)
(c) Woolen Khadi
(d) Poly Khadi
The Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board (AKVIB) has been implementing different Khadi activities through its 47 Nos. Khadi Production Centers in the rural areas of the State –
In these Centers, Spinning & Weaving works are done by the local spinners and weavers and get Wages and Incentives as per norms of Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Govt. of India, Ministry of MSME.
Schemes for the Benefit of Spinners and Weavers