Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to focus on khadi, Mahatma Gandhi

AHMEDABAD | NEW DELHI: Khadi will strike a thematic, homecoming note at the 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that begins on Wednesday in Gandhinagar. The fabric, redolent of freedom movement, is perhaps the natural choice for an event that will showcase the life and work of the Father of the Nation to 4,000 global Indians expected to attend the event in a city named after him.

The expatriates and people of Indian origin will also be taught to weave khadi and be presented with gifts made of the fabric, officials said. A khadi utsav will be part of the programme, featuring designs by weavers from Saurashtra and Surendranagar. Mahatma Gandhi will be portrayed as the greatest Bharatiya Pravasi with a number of discussions on Gandhian thought, its relevance and importance today.

“Gandhi saw khadi as an answer to problems of shortage and dependency,” said an official associated with the event. “There will be a focus on projecting khadi as India’s own fabric in the session and highlighting its importance in freedom struggle.”

Although PBD has been celebrated every year since 2003 in memory of Gandhi’s arrival in India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, this year’s event will lay emphasis on this aspect, this being the centenary year.

“Modi had requested NRIs to come for the event in his Madison Square Garden event during his US visit (in September),” said an official. “Many have been sent personal invitations. The enthusiasm is much higher.” Modi is closely monitoring preparations for the event, having conceptualised its theme. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, MoS VK Singh and officials of the PMO are also making sure that everything runs smoothly.

State government spokesperson Saurabh Patel said the largest museum dedicated to Gandhi will be inaugurated on January 8. “It is a great moment for Gujarat with the centenary of Bapu’s return, celebration of Pravasi Divas and inauguration of the museum all coinciding.”

Not all Gandhians are impressed, however. “NRIs wearing Gandhi topis and using charkha is only going to be a grand PR exercise for the PM. He is doing this only to get international claim. If he really valued Gandhi so much, he would have at least reprimanded his MPs who openly praised Godse,” said N Vasudevan, director, Indian Council for Gandhian Studies. He was referring to comments in support of Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin.