“I believe that where there is pure and active love for the poor there is God also. I see God in every thread that I draw on the spinning wheel,” these were Mahatma Gandhi’s words, while he spun the Charkha and drew the khadi thread.

The fabric that played a major role in the freedom movement and was the preferred textile of the common man remains more of a political garb now. While a small percentage of today’s younger, up-market generation is shifting focus to it, the sales are far from reassuring. In fact, with the intent of giving khadi a facelift, designers, are making tiny inroads by incorporating it in their collections. The question remains, is the effort sufficient?