Khadi Textiles, Women and Rural Development: An Analysis from Past to Present

Abstract

The paper aims at bringing out the cultural, economic, and political importance that Khadi has for India from pre-colonial times, during the colonial rule and after independence till the present times. The paper brings out Khadi’s potential in rural development by solving the pressing concerns of unemployment and working conditions in developing countries like India. In spite of this, Khadi’s potential at rural development is subsided by the contemporary threats the industry faces due to the different agents of neoliberalism, discussed in the paper. The questionnaire report on workers collected at the Cheriyakonni production unit and information collected at the District Project Office Trivandrum; brings out that rural women are the largest workforce victims of these threats, as the industry is slowly showing signs of degradation.

Methodology: The research paper is based on both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Data is collected from Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) Project Office Thiruvananthapuram through interviews. Questionnaire is conducted on workers of Cheriyakonni Production Unit, Thiruvananthapuram that operates under the board.

Keywords:

• Khadi and village industries
• neoliberalism
• developing world
• rural development
• women and textile industry

Acknowledgments

This work was made possible by the support and cooperation of Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board, Thiruvananthapuram, and Khadi textile workers at the Cheriyakonni Production Unit. I would like to thank Department of International Relations and Politics, Central University of Kerala under which, part of the research was done under the guidance of Ms. Lijitha T. Thampy. I extend my deep hearted gratitude to Department of International Studies and History, Christ University that provided me opportunity to work under the guidance Dr. Payal Sen and Dr. Manoharan N. whose continuous encouragement finally led to the completion of the research paper.

Notes

1 Calicos are plain woven cotton cloth coarser than muslin and printed with figure patterns. It originated in the city of Calicut, made by traditional weavers called Caliyans.

2 Chintz is a woodblock printed, painted or stained Calico textile, usually seen with bright designs and patterns on light or plain background.

3 Satyagraha translates to “holding firmly on truth,” it is a form of non-violent technique of protest and also as a philosophy founded by Gandhi.

4 Swadeshi translates to “that which is owned by the country,” it is a national movement in India aimed at encouraging use of domestic products against the foreign ones.

5 Khadi is usually spun into yarn using a spinning wheel called Charkha.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vrinda Aravind

Vrinda Aravind is a research scholar in the Department of International Studies, Christ University Bangalore, India. She holds her Masters and Bachelors in International Relations from Christ University, Bangalore and Central University of Kerala, respectively. Vrinda specializes in Third world studies, Post-Colonialism, South Asia, and the global South. [email protected]

Girisanker S. B.

Girisanker S. B. is a Doctoral Fellow in the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. He holds his Masters and Bachelors in International Relations from Christ University, Bangalore and Central University of Kerala, respectively. His areas of interest include, but not limited to, Transitional Justice, Politics of Developing Areas, Energy Security, Conflict Studies, and Post-Colonialism. [email protected]