"Khadi used to be for nation, now Khadi is for fashion", says Modi

PM Modi said earlier, during India's struggle for freedom, "Khadi used to be for nation, now Khadi is for fashion".

Ludhiana, Oct 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to buy Khadi during the ongoing festive season, saying it would help poor families.

Addressing a programme of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) here, the Prime Minister said earlier, during India's struggle for freedom, "Khadi used to be for nation, now Khadi is for fashion".

"For our economic development, MSME sector is crucial. We must target the global market," he said.

"Ludhiana is an important economic hub. It is only natural to launch a scheme related to MSME here. I am seeing a mini-India in front of me," Modi said.

He also assured the workers and officials engaged in the MSME sector of all support from the central government.

Modi today distributed 500 traditional wooden charkhas to women spinners belonging to the five local Khadi institutions.

The charkhas have been given by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).The women spinners have been selected from different areas of Punjab.

The Prime Minister also went around an exhibition and tried his hand at a charkha.

Five hundred charkhas will help create direct employment at the doorstep of these villagers, KVIC said.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the distribution of charkhas will help in income generation for these families.

IANS