Gandhi wants 'Charkha' training at his grandfather's Ashram

Barrackpore, Feb 15: Retracing the memorabilia of his grandfather, West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi has sought cooperation of the Khadi Pratisthan of India Board and the state government in re-launching the training programme of 'Charkha' which Mahatma Gandhi had launched here some 80 years ago to start 'Swadeshi' movement.

After remaining in dilapidated condition for almost eight decades, the Gandhi Memorial Ashram at Sodepur in North 24 Parganas was now being renovated.

Mahatmaji after inaugurating the Ashram Kalashala (workshop) in January, 1927, had spent times in 1939, 1945, 1946 and 1947 in this Ashram Bhawan. The cot and 'Charkha' used by Mahatmaji during his stay here were lying intact in the Bhawan.

Mr Gandhi during his visit here yesterday told reporters that it (Bhawan) looked quite nice as about 90 per cent of the restoration work had been completed.

He had suggested to open a museum occupying two of its 11 rooms with the memorabilia of Mahatmaji and promote the site for tourism.

This monument should be protected by the local residents as the memorial was a public property, he told the visiting people.

Khadi Pratisthan Trustee Board Chairman Janendra Kumar Biswas, a retired Deputy Director of Ministry of Industry, (Centre) said over Rs 22 lakh, sanctioned by the Centre, were spent for the restoration as the board had decided to start training programme of 'Charkha'.

The Governor also asked the board to find experienced weavers for producing clothes like 'Maslin' to provide training to youths interested.

The Trustee Board Chairman said the Union Tourism Minister had already earmarked Rs 5 crore for the development if five such memorials where Gandhiji had visited.

UNI