To raise awareness and appreciation for Khadi products, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to use Khadi products as well as present books at felicitation ceremonies. According to the commission, this practice will help to promote local artisans and authors while also highlighting India’s textile traditions.
The commission has observed that colleges and universities organise seminars, conferences, workshops, and other events regularly as part of the teaching-learning process and that on such occasions, guests or dignitaries are usually felicitated by being presented with a shawl or angavastram, bouquet, potted plants, and so on.
“It is suggested that in keeping with the thrust on Aatmairbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India), Khadi products such as angavastram, shawl, etc. which are eco-friendly may be used for felicitation purposes. Such a practice, while reaffirming our links with the freedom struggle, also showcases our appreciation for our nation’s rich textile tradition,” UGC reportedly said in an official notice.
According to the commission, books may also be taken into consideration for presentation on such occasions to demonstrate the nation’s dedication to education and knowledge as well as to introduce a larger audience to our rich literary heritage. The official notice also cites that implementing these practices would support the empowerment and promotion of our regional artisans as well as help make local authors’ books more widely available.
Hence, HEIs have been requested to consider incorporating the above practices when felicitating guests or dignitaries during seminars, conferences, workshops, and other similar events in their institutions.
On January 16, the commission urged universities to consider using handloom fabrics for ceremonial attire at their annual convocations, claiming that it would promote handloom and instil a sense of pride in being Indian. The higher education regulator also requested an action taken report, photos, and videos to be posted on its university activity monitoring portal in a letter to vice-chancellors of universities.
In 2015, the commission first requested that universities switch to handloom fabrics, claiming that handloom apparel would be more comfortable in India’s climate.
Several universities, such as Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have begun to use handloom fabrics in their convocation attire. While DU has replaced gowns and caps with angavastram (stoles), JNU has opted for white kurta pyjamas and saris.
On the other hand, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission launched the Khadi Mahotsav e-pledge, a campaign that the UGC had encouraged universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) to actively participate in in October 2023.
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