While addressing students recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged them to promote khadi as a “fashion statement” in colleges and universities. He said khadi fashion shows could be conducted by students and the work of traditional craftspeople promoted at cultural fests in colleges.
However, according to stores selling khadi clothes, the youngsters in Bengaluru are a long way from adopting khadi as their style, mainly due to a lack of awareness about the fabric as well as a lack of varied designs in the catalogue.
“We do not really get any customers in the age group of 20-25 years as they have no idea what khadi is. They only come in if their parents come to buy something. We rarely see students during Independence Day or Republic Day. People who are above 30 years of age come to buy our towels, kerchiefs, and kurtas,” said Vijay, from Khadi India at Sahakar Nagar.
