Modi on Khadi calendar: No one can replace Mahatma, says minister

January 13, 2017

modichakraNew Delhi, Jan 13: In an apparent attempt to play down the controversy surrounding the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi spinning the "charkha" - not Mahatma Gandhi - on the 2017 calendar and diaries published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Union Minister Kalraj Mishra said on Friday that no person can replace Mahatma Gandhi.

The Cabinet Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises said that as per his information PM Modi's picture was on one of the pages of the calendar, he hastily added that he will have to ascertain all the facts before commenting further on the issue.

Mishra said, “Gandhiji is the father of our nation...nobody can replace Gandhi ji. Khadi and Gandhi are connected.”

The new calendar triggered protests among a section of KVIC employees in Mumbai. They sought to know as to why the image of the Father of the Nation was left out while featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The commission's calendars have always featured Mahatma Gandhi, who founded the Khadi movement in the 1920s, aiming to boycott foreign goods in a non-violent protest against the British.

KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said this was "not unusual" and there have been deviations in the past.

"The entire khadi industry (udyog) is based on Gandhiji's philosophy, ideas and ideals, he is the soul of KVIC, so there is no question of ignoring him," Saxena said.

He added that Prime Minister Modi has been wearing khadi for a long time, and has made it popular among the masses; even among foreign dignitaries, while developing his own styles around khadi.

"In fact, he is khadi's biggest brand ambassador, and his vision matches KVIC's, of 'Make In India' by making villages self-sufficient, 'skill development' by generating employment among the rural masses, infuse modern technology for khadi weaving, innovations and marketing. Plus, the PM is a youth icon," Saxena added.khadi weaving, innovations and marketing. Plus, the PM is a youth icon," Saxena added.

Prime Minister Modi has a khadi garment unofficially named after him - the casual and comfortable, half-sleeved 'Modi Kurta' - since the days he was Gujarat Chief Minister.

During the four-month period between Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2 and his martyrdom on January 30, the KVIC launches special promotions and offers special rebates to boost khadi sales across India.

Comments

A. Mangalore
 - 
Saturday, 14 Jan 2017

Take care guys tomorrow Modiji will appear as Shiva (without Parvathi).

REALITY
 - 
Friday, 13 Jan 2017

Cheddis only in medias with feku news... when actually they are far from reality.

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News Network
February 22,2020

Kalaburagi, Feb 22: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan was booked for his alleged remark against the Hindu community in his speech during an anti-CAA rally held here recently, police sources said on Saturday.

According to police sources, the FIR was registered against the AIMIM leader, following a complaint lodged by a woman advocate on Friday evening.

Taking strongly about the incident, the Karnataka Home minister Basavaraj Bommai had directed the Kalaburagi city police commissioner to submit a report on the incident.

It may be recalled that the AIMIM leader, in his speech at a rally held in the city on February 15 had said that if all the 15 crore minority populations in the country stand united they could take on 100 crore Hindu population.

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News Network
July 2,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 2: Mangaluru BJP Corporator Manohar Shetty, who entered a manhole to clean a drain, said that he did it to avoid waterlogging ahead of monsoon as people were facing several problems for the past few years.

"In my ward, there is a rainwater drain at Kadri Kambla junction and for the past few years, there was a waterlogging problem due to trash water used to collect and vehicles used to find it difficult to pass in that area," Shetty said.

"Since there was a lot of trash it had to be cleared to avoid waterlogging. We changed our dresses, and then I along with my three party workers entered manhole and cleared the trash," he said.

The Mangaluru BJP Corporator further said that it was not a publicity stunt, and he cleaned the drain to solve the problem of people. "During elections, I had promised people to get the drain cleaned. Since monsoon was coming; something had to be done; we did not do it for publicity but to solve a problem," he said.

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News Network
June 4,2020

Jun 4: Belur Mutt, the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Mutt and Ramakrishna Mission, has decided to throw open its gates to the devotees from June 15 after putting in place all safety measures required to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The gates of the sprawling premises of the mutt set up by Swami Vivekananada at Belur near here was closed since the lockdown was announced in March by the Centre. The Mutt has devotees from across the globe.

The secretary of Belur Mutt Ramakrishna Mutt and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Suvirananda said in a statement that as the easing down of lockdown measures announced by the Centre and the state did not indicate the threat caused by COVID-19 pandemic is over, the authorities thought it prudent to put in place all the measures required before opening the gates of the Mutt and all RKM centres in the country for the scores of devotees.

The statement was issued on June 1, the day religious places of worship were thrown open by the West Bengal government.

"We had to think about both aspects - the issue of public health and also the wish of our devotees for having a darshan of the shrines of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sarada Maa and Ramamrishna Paramahansa. But we believe spirituality and sceintific temparament must go hand in hand," he told reporters on Thursday.

"Therefore it is imperative for us to consult experts and put in place adequate arrangement and infrastructure" before opening the (Belur Mutt) gates," he said.

The senior monk said the timing of the opening and closure of the shrine and all other details conforming the health protocol and guidelines will be announced before opening date.

The Mutt complex had become totally out of bound for visitors from March 24 when the lockdown was clamped. There was restricted entry to it since May 16.

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