4 months ago
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The century-old Tiruchengode Gandhi Ashram, which is struggling to relation with mediocre income of Khadi products, seeks authorities assistance to tally the ashram.
In 1925, C. Rajagopalachari, who aboriginal served arsenic the archetypal and past governor-general of India (1948-1950) and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1952-1954), founded this ashram near Pudupalayam, adjacent Tiruchengode, and it was inaugurated by his friend, the reformist Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. This ashram has a Khadi accumulation portion and produces 172 products, including soaps, shirts, dhotis, towels, pillows, beds, honey, pickles, and truthful on.
The ashram has branches successful 12 places successful Salem, Namakkal, Erode, and Tiruchi districts. The ashram, which functioned independently, came nether the power of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) successful 1957. Leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K. Kamaraj and governors had visited the ashram.
Following people, particularly youths, preferring modern garments, the interest in Khadi apparel drastically reduced, which deed the concern of the ashram. In 2024-2025, the ashram manufactured items worthy ₹4.80 crore and they were sold for ₹6.08 crore. During the period, the full expenses came to 2.70 crore. The nonaccomplishment came to 56.41 lakh.
Gandhi Ashram president K. Chidambaram said that erstwhile erstwhile president R. Venkataraman visited the ashram, helium helped to proviso soaps that were produced successful the ashram to the army. However, aft a fewer years, the orders for soaps decreased and yet ceased. At contiguous 85 unit are moving successful the branches and the wage is precise debased for them. Based connected experience, unit are receiving ₹10,000 to ₹23,000 monthly. People with much than 25 years of work lone crossed ₹20,000 successful salary.
The ashram is struggling to wage the status benefits for staff. At present, it is struggling with ₹11 crore successful debts. In 2015 and 2018, the State authorities gave grants to the ashram of ₹1 crore and ₹2 crore, respectively, Mr. Chidambaram added.
Urging the Union and State governments to supply grant, Mr. Chidambaram said that successful 2021, the Gujarat authorities provided ₹50 crore successful funds for Sabarmati Ashram’s development.
Likewise, the State and the Union governments should supply ₹10 crore to the Gandhi Ashram present for its improvement and for its creaseless functioning. Until 1973, the Khadi dresses manufactured successful the ashram were sent to Block Development Offices and authorities employees bought dresses and the magnitude was deducted from their salary in instalments. Like this, the authorities should instrumentality steps to summation the merchantability of Khadi dresses and products, Mr. Chidambaram added.
