Showcasing unity of Gandhi's India
150 potters have started working on the 150-square-meter wall mural made of kulhad
Amid the celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Khadi and Village Industries Commission decided to mark the occasion with practical display of Gandhian thoughts on village industries.
With the co-operation of 150 highly-skilled potters from across the nation, the commission has finally started the project of making a 150-square-meter wall mural made of kulhad at Morbi, Gujrat.
The potters have brought clay of their respective regions which have been mixed to produce the Kulhads for the mural. 3,870 kulhads (75 mm diameter and 90 mm height ) out of 5,000 will be produced on electric pottery wheels given by KVIC.
Talking about the project, Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chairman, KVIC said that it was like starting a yajna (holy ritual) when 150 pandits (common surname of potters in many parts of India) gathered here to introduce the unity of Indian civilization with their individuality.
Noted Gandhian philosopher and Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee believes that making the grand mural of Mahatma Gandhi is the fittest tribute to him and his philosophy on Khadi. The philosopher said, "As Bapu always advocated for empowering the village craftsmen and laid stress on adoption of swadeshi products, this grand mural – made directly from the village artisans – will definitely showcase the cultural integrity and unity of Gandhi's India."
Expressing his happiness on this tributary endeavour of KVIC, the Minister of State for MSME Giriraj Singh stated that it would certainly be a tribute with a difference. "It will really be a proud moment for the nation when KVIC's grand mural will prominently be displayed in the heart of the national Capital – showcasing the combined 'sweaty' efforts of village potters across the nation," he said.
Present at the ceremony, 98-year-veteran Gandhian Gokul Dasji Kala, also hailed KVIC's novel way of paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
It may be noted that the Meenakshi Lekhi, New Delhi Lok Sabha MP along with KVIC Chairman and NDMC Chairman made a vast survey for the selection of prominent site – where the 150 square meter wall mural could be mounted.
Later, main building of NDMC in Connaught Place was unanimously decided to be the place for installing the mural.
The artwork designed by an Ahmedabad-based designer terracotta and ceramic art studio, Clay Club Innovations, is expected to be unveiled on January 30 – the 'Shaheed Diwas' and Martyr day of Mahatma Gandhi.
KVIC has also requested the Prime Minister to grace the function as the Chief Guest.
So far, KVIC has distributed more than 5,000 Electric Potter Wheels' sets in the country under its ambitious 'Kumhaar Sashaktikaran Yojana' and the distribution of another 7,000 Electric Potter Wheels is in the pipeline.
