About 700 students from Class five to Class eight from the 190-year-old St Columba Girls High School, Grant Road, took part in a rally between August Kranti Maidan and Mani Bhavan to celebrate Khadi on Wednesday morning.

August Kranti Maidan was where the Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 and Mani Bhavan served as his place of residence. This marks the first such rally in the state organised by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission as part of the month-long Khadi Mohotsav and more rallies will be held in approximately 10 schools across Mumbai and 105 schools across Maharashtra.

The students carried placards bearing slogans approved by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. A large-sized banner featuring the images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mahatma Gandhi was used for the rally. “Only ministry-approved banners were permitted and we also provided ministry-approved slogans and content for the placards along with some caps and refreshments,” said Yogesh Bhamre, director of the Khadi Commission in the state.

“Everybody has to raise their hand and repeat after me. Be vocal for local, atmanirbhar bharat,” directed a teacher. Chants of atmanirbhar bharat resonated throughout the school corridors before the rally continued on the streets.

When a student was providing details on the history of Khadi from West Bengal, Bhamre called his colleague in the state to speak with her. “She had outlined the history so effectively. The call was to encourage the student,” he said. Some students were also seen dressed as Gandhi.

The department is collaborating with several NGOs to assist with the logistics for the rally. St Columba School Girls High School principal, Shubhada Kedari, mentioned that one such NGO, Humanitarian Welfare And Research Foundation (HWARF), approached the school to participate in the rally. Kedari said, “I was very excited when I heard it was a Khadi Day celebration. I wanted to raise awareness about Khadi among my students. We chose the route as we were close to August Kranti Maidan and Mani Bhavan. It was a learning experience for the students.”

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