World's largest charkha unveiled at Delhi airport

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj Mishra has unveiled the world’s largest Charkha at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, IGI in New Delhi yesterday.

The idea behind displaying the Charkha at the airport is to highlight India’s quest to foster an egalitarian society as demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message said the Charkha is a symbol of India's glorious heritage and an inspiring reminder of freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr Modi also said, he is sure that the Charkha will serve to remind travellers at the IGI airport



of India's timeless heritage and the values of sustainability and harmony that it stands for. Speaking on the occasion Mr Mishra, said that Charkha is a symbol of Gandhian values and shows government's priority towards khadi and village industries.

He added that Charkha represents Swadeshi, self-sufficiency, and at the same time interdependence, because the wheel is at the center of a network of cotton growers, weavers, distributors and users.

An official release said, the four-tones Charkha made from high-quality Burma teak wood is estimated to last for over 50 years. It is 9 feet wide, 17 feet tall and 30 feet long.