Hans News Service Vijayawada

Tomark Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, the BJP will host a Khadi Mela at the IV Palace in Vijayawada. Organised under the banner ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion,’ the event forms part of the party’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, led by AP BJP state president P V N Madhav.

Announcing the event, state BJP spokesperson Mullapudi Renuka said that last year’s exhibitions across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Rajamahendravaram received overwhelming support, including a visit from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

This year’s mela, located on the first floor of IV Palace, will feature handloom showcases along with morning and evening cultural programs. Renuka urged families to attend and support local weavers, emphasizing that Khadi is more than just a fabric—it is an enduring symbol of Swadeshi, self-reliance and national pride.

She pointed out that handloom and cottage industries remain India’s largest source of employment after agriculture, providing vital dignity and income to rural households, particularly women. Thanks to expanded digital marketing, financial aid, and modern outreach, the sector’s national turnover has surged from Rs 33,000 crore in 2013-14 to nearly Rs 1.7 lakh crore today. Renuka also noted the Andhra Pradesh government’s active support for weavers through initiatives like Nethanna Sevalo, power subsidies, pensions, and easy credit.

She also referred to the heritage of AP’s textile tradition, pointing to Ponduru Khadi’s prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, alongside key handloom hubs in Mangalagiri and Venkatagiri.