Khadi empowered Indians to seek freedom: Meira Kumar

New Delhi, Sep 27 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has said that khadi empowered Indians to wage a non-violent freedom struggle.

Inaugurating an exhibition on textiles 'Power Cloths of the Commonwealth', Kumar said: "If cloth empowers you, then it is incumbent upon you to empower those who create the cloth by fulfilling their hopes and demands."

She further that there is a history behind the textiles, which people are witnessing in the exhibition.

"See, 22 countries are participating in it and this is organised ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the clothes and textiles from all these countries are showcased in it. There is a history behind the growth of textiles, which people are witnessing here and it also improves mutual understanding. No doubt this kind of exhibition helps," She added.

Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese described the textile exhibition as a celebration of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"This is a celebration for the Commonwealth at a time when I think we need to celebrate the commonwealth in both symbolic and literal sense. It reflects the connecting thread that runs through the commonwealth of nations and how ...this exhibition should approach power in the commonwealth through the medium of textiles because the power of the commonwealth is quite unique, its not measured in the hard language of military might or economic weight but rather its measured in the softer language of diversity, connectedness and the power of ideas," he added.

The exhibition is showcasing textiles from 15 Commonwealth countries spread over five continents.

The exhibition is organised by the Ministry of Textiles, the Australian Government and RMIT Gallery, Melbourne.

The exhibition is housed in the craft museum at Pragati Maidan and will be open to public till October 20. (ANI)