Khadi Centre Management Asserts Continuous Operation Amidst Conflicting Media Narratives
Holenarsipura, Hassan District: The Khadi and Village Industries Co-operative Society, managing the Badanavalu Khadi Centre since 1987, has issued a statement vehemently denying media reports suggesting a month-long cessation of work for its women artisans and handloom weavers. The society's secretary, H.M. Akshay Kumar, asserted that work and wages have been consistently provided without interruption for approximately four decades, calling for direct engagement with the workers to verify these claims.
The core of the assertion from the managing society is that operations and payments to the women artisans at the Badanavalu Khadi Centre have continued without a break for nearly 40 years, directly refuting any suggestion of recent disruptions.
The centre, steeped in a history connected to Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy for self-reliance and khadi, reportedly employs women, some of whom are elderly, to spin yarn from raw cotton using traditional charkhas. These operations also include a weaving unit producing items like clothing, handkerchiefs, and towels, which are distributed to khadi retail stores in Hassan, Holenarasipur, K.R. Nagar, and Mysore.
A Legacy of Self-Reliance
Badanavalu village, situated in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district, holds historical significance as a place that impressed Mahatma Gandhi during his visits. A stone marking his presence, inscribed 'Badanavalu Spinning Region,' reportedly sowed the seeds for the establishment of the Badanavalu Khadi Village Industries Cooperative Society. The village's association with khadi has been framed as a "beacon of self-reliance," echoing Gandhian philosophy.
Efforts have been noted towards the development and revival of the centre, with local MLA Mr B Harshavardhan advocating for a Rs 20 crore allocation in the State budget. These proposals aim to develop the heritage site along the lines of Gujarat's Sabarmati Ashram, particularly in commemoration of Gandhi's birth anniversaries. The Karnataka tourism department has also expressed interest in similar development initiatives.
Individual artisans, like Kumari (43), have spoken about how their work at the centre supplements family income, with a piece-rate system allowing for increased earnings with increased output. Some women reportedly engage in spinning and weaving after completing their household chores or working on farmlands.
The Badanavalu Khadi Gramodhyoga Kendra is described as a place where the legacy of khadi spinning and weaving is being preserved. The rhythmic sound of spinning wheels, or charkhas, is said to still resonate in the village. The centre houses traditional handloom weaving machines, contributing to its product output.
The narrative surrounding Badanavalu Khadi Centre presents a dichotomy: a management assertion of unbroken operational and financial continuity versus indications of potential disruptions or at least conflicting perceptions that necessitate clarification through direct worker input.