New Delhi February 19, 2019 FICCI ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women business chamber of Southeast Asia and women’s business wing of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and All India Women’s Education Fund Association (AIWEFA), is organising a ‘Khadi Goes Global’ a day long conclave cum exhibition at National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum, New Delhi on February 21, 2019.
The Conclave commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary and 100 years of Khadi. It is also a celebration of ‘Khadi’ as the fabric of the nation and weave the embodiment of the Mahatma’s vision.
The day long conclave with the Theme ‘Moving towards global sustainable development for the future of mankind’ is being organised with the objective to promote Khadi as global sustainable fabric and bring it to mainstream as a style statement.
“As the world is getting more and more sensitive towards the environment, sustainable fabrics are in demand the importance of sustainability has played a crucial role in the resurrection of Khadi. Hand woven Khadi has gained worldwide appreciation as it is durable, climate friendly, zero carbon, bio degradable, water conserving, long lasting and organic in nature. With the growing awareness of sustainability, the demand for Khadi has increased.” Said Ms Pinky Reddy, President, FICCI ladies Organisation (FLO).
“Khadi is also symbol of women empowerment as most of weavers in India are women, it is important to bring Khadi to mainstream, this will help weavers especially women to continue doing what they do the best as well as create more jobs. Charkhas need to travel back from museums, colleges and fashion events to weaver’s huts “, said Ms Pinky Reddy.
“Our endeavour is multidimensional – Ideological, economic and social. Our endeavour is to bring together all stakeholders from the industry, government, fashion fraternity and others in one single platform and create a roadmap to boost the sector and make it the national fabric of India in the truest sense”, she further added.
AIWEFA President, Ms. Asha Chandra, said, “Khadi Goes Global: empowerment of rural women to achieve the 2030 agenda for change” has the potential to provide additional livelihoods for farm women to raise their standards of living and revive traditional crafts”.
The major highlights of the day long conclave will include a Khadi Exhibition in conjunction with Concern India Foundation and Pause for a Cause. The exhibition will feature exhibitors from different parts of the country from leading designers to grass root crafts persons.
Speaker Sessions on “What’s Next in Khadi” will be organised with Speakers such as Sunaina Suneja, Antonio M. Grioli, Sandhya Raman, Shazia Amanat, Rta Kapoor Chisti, Prof Charu Smita, Mandeep Nagi, Madhu Sood, Ambika Magotra and Jyotsna Kapur.
This will be followed by an afternoon Fashion presentation by Shades of India and upcoming Khadi designers.
The highlight of the Conclave is the National Award Ceremony, felicitating the promoters and producers of Khadi from across the country. “We would like to acknowledge the painstaking efforts made by designers, artisans, facilitators and others in keeping the tradition of Khadi alive. In recognition of their outstanding contribution, we will give away the National Awards to the promoters and producers of Khadi.” said Pinky Reddy.
A plenary session on Empowerment of Rural Women to Achieve the 2030 Agenda for Development- Khadi as the Fabric of Freedom, Fashion And Finance with eminent Panelists such as Sukanya Bharatram Gandhi , Great Grand Daughter of Mahatma Gandhi ;Rohit Bal, Fashion Designer; Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Fashion Designer; Rajesh Pratap Singh, Fashion designer; Zafar Chaudhary, Partner -Habitat Architects; Mandeep Nagi, Design Director- Shades of India; Sita Nanda, Founder – Design workshop;Sunil Sethi, President –FDCI; Geeta Chandran, Bharatanatyam dancer and vocalist and Sandhya Raman, Dance stylist
The day will conclude with Khadi Mudra Dance Performance titled “An Ode to Mahatma” by Geeta Chandran and Sandhya Raman, followed by a Khadi fashion presentation by eminent fashion designers Rohit Bal, Rina Dhaka, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla.
