Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, was where Bapu's monumental salt march opposing the British took place. However, there was another paper workshop set up here to reduce India's dependence on England.
Before independence, India used to be dependent on England for meeting its paper requirements. During the 'Swadeshi' movement, Gandhi tried to promote the production of paper within the country.
Subsequently, in 1940, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel established the Khadi Gramodyog Mandal opposite the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. He was the founding president of the organisation. The organisation has been working since the last 80 years and at one time even former Prime Minister Morarji Desai as its president.
The organisation makes several hand-made products, but it is known for its hand-made paper. Cotton fabric waste is used to make the eco-friendly paper, which is then used to make invitation cards, handbags, gift items, and other trinkets.
The production of paper is carried out from the workshop, where over 20 workers are engaged full time. The hand-made products are quite popular among foreign tourists who visit the Gandhi Ashram.
Read: Legacy of Bapu's Sabarmati Ashram
Since the paper is hand-made, it is slightly more expensive than the mass-produced paper. However, it is long-lasting, with some varieties of longevity being between 200 and 500 years. It is also termite resistant, making it optimum to be used in government files and documents.
How is the 'Kalamkhush' paper made?
The organisation buys waste material from cotton textile mills after which it is sorted out for different colours and quality. After removing the dust, the waste cotton fabric is soaked in water to make pulp which is then spread across a sieve. The paper is then pressed under pressure to make it plain and wrinkle-free. It is then dried and polished. Additional colour is added in the pulp if required.
The final product was named 'Kalamkhush' (kalam = pen; khush = happy) by eminent writer Kaka Kalelkar, as he felt the paper makes the pen happy.
The hand-made paper unit gives direct employment to 20 workers and several others indirectly.
However, in recent years, the government has levied GST on all hand-made products except khadi. Besides, the municipal corporation over charges commercial rates for the use of factory premises. This has put an additional burden on people associated with the production of this paper.
Read: Bapu established a 'Second Sabarmati' Ashram in AP's Nellore
