University regulator pushes ‘khadi’ for ceremonial dress

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, which has been extolling the virtues of khadi (traditional cloth), has cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has asked universities and colleges to use the fabric for ceremonial dress worn on special occasions, writes Prashant K Nanda for Livemint.

“The honourable prime minister has advocated the use of khadi and also emphasised … the revival of handlooms. Mahatma Gandhi used khadi, a hand-spun and handloom cloth as a weapon during the struggle for Independence, and hence it is also known as ‘Liveries of Freedom’...the use of khadi and other handloom will not only give a sense of pride of being Indian, but also be more comfortable in hot and humid weather,” the UGC has said in a circular to all the universities in the country.

“The language of the circular is very interesting. While it did not use the word mandatory, it expects universities to take action. We are not against khadi or handloom but I believe universities and colleges need to be left alone to take a decision on what they wish to adopt,” said a Delhi University professor who requested anonymity. “It’s an indirect directive to fall in line. It’s symbolism, not Indian pride, that the education regulator is trying to get us to believe,” he said.
Full report on the Livemint site