Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a 25 % price reduction on every khadi item to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary. The scheme will stay in effect up to 30 January 2027.

Yogi Adityanath Calls for a Khadi Renaissance

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to residents to make khadi a part of everyday attire and to champion the men and women who spin, weave, and stitch these fabrics. He reminded listeners that khadi represents more than a cloth—it embodies the spirit of India’s freedom struggle and the principle of self‑reliance.

Floral Homage to Two National Legends

On Gandhi Jayanti, the CM placed fresh garlands at the statue of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna laureate Lal Bahadur Shastri inside Lucknow’s Annex Building, paying tribute to both leaders.

He urged the public to emulate the values they stood for—devotion to nation‑building, humility, and steadfast public service.

Swadeshi at the Heart of the Freedom Struggle

Marking Gandhi’s 157th and Shastri’s 122nd birthdays, Yogi highlighted how the swadeshi ethos—favoring indigenous goods—became a rallying cry against colonial domination. Under Gandhi’s guidance, the push for self‑sufficiency transformed a political demand into a mass movement.

The chief minister emphasized that Gandhi’s call for self‑reliance remains relevant today, linking the promotion of home‑grown products to a broader vision of projecting Indian crafts from village bazaars to global markets.

Boosting Rural Artisans and Weavers

Yogi stressed the importance of opening wider markets for village‑made creations, arguing that heightened demand for handcrafted goods can elevate the economic standing of artisans, handicraft workers, and weavers.

He portrayed the use of indigenous products as a meaningful homage to the freedom fighters who championed self‑sufficiency.

Shastri Remembered for Simplicity and Resolve

Describing Lal Bahadur Shastri as a model of modesty, determination, and public duty, the CM recalled the former prime minister’s relentless focus on food security and his encouragement of the armed forces.

“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” – An Enduring Rallying Cry

Yogi reflected on Shastri’s leadership during the 1965 war, when soldiers defended the nation’s borders while farmers secured grain reserves. He noted that today India can feed more than 1.4 billion people and even export food grains abroad.

The slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” continues to inspire soldiers, farmers, and citizens alike, reinforcing the timeless bond between national defence and agricultural prosperity.