Khadi code for Gandhi Smriti staff in office

NEW DELHI: With the prime minister its chairperson, it is only apt that his ‘Mann ki Baat’ is implemented first and foremost right at the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti ( GSDS).

The organisation is set to be the first central government office that will have all its employees switch fully to Khadi as office wear. To ensure that the new office uniform is backed by law, the GSDS has even pulled out the enabling provision from its bye-laws and decided to operationalise it.

Clause 12 of the GSDS bye-laws reads: “All employees of the Samiti shall wear Khadi, while on duty.” PM Modi had said in his first ‘Mann ki Baat’ address in January this year that Khadi had huge employment generation potential and was a great national symbol that needs to be encouraged in a big way. Modi had exhorted the people to ensure Khadi in their wardrobe.

GSDS director Dipankar Srigyan confirmed to ET that before Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, the organisation will have completely shifted to Khadi wear in office. GSDS has about 200 employees, with about 50 of them recruited on a temporary basis.

“The PM, who is also the chairperson of GSDS, has also talked about the need to popularise Khadi. We want to lead by example. The culture ministry is also keen on it. Accordingly, it was decided that GSDS should ensure that Khadi is the official office wear.

While the permanent employees will wear Khadi every day on duty, the temporary staff will also wear Khadi as office-wear for two days in a week,” Srigyan said. Srigyan said GSDS is purchasing the fabric from Khadi Board in Bihar, the Uttar Pradesh Gandhi Nidhi and the Gandhi Sanghralaya in Wardha.