“To see Gangabehn at her loom is a stirring sight. When this unlettered but self-possessed sister plies at her loom, she becomes so lost in it that it is difficult to distract her attention, and much more difficult to draw her eyes off her beloved loom.” ~ Gandhi, Autobiography, p. 494 We all know by… read more
Tag Archives: spinning wheel
“Happy Birthday, Gandhiji!”–Daily Metta
October 2: “The power of nonviolent resistance can only come from honest working of the constructive programme.” –Gandhi (Mahatma, vol. 5) How do you say ‘happy birthday’ to a Mahatma? Not with an elaborate meal, of course. Not with a sugary cake and candles. Beer and wine are out. And no, not even with flowers,… read more
“Necessities and Nonviolence”–Daily Metta
January 28 “A starving man thinks first of satisfying his hunger before anything else.” -Gandhi (Young India, 3-18-1926) At the basis of the Indian Freedom Struggle was the spinning wheel. It represented independence through grassroots employment and freedom from the dependence on the British to supply their basic need of cloth. Gandhi worked endlessly… read more
Spinning Wheel Birthday: An MP3 from the Metta Center
October 2nd marks Gandhi’s birthday, which he wanted to be known as “‘Spinning Wheel’ (charkha) Birthday”. In the following, short 6 minute MP3 clip, Metta Center Director Stephanie Van Hook talks with Gandhi scholar Michael Nagler. He explains why Gandhi designated his birthday in this way and explores some of the key strategic insights that… read more
Charkha
The charkha, or spinning wheel, was the physical embodiment and symbol of Gandhi’s constructive program. It represents Swadeshi, self-sufficiency, and at the same time interdependence, because the wheel is at the center of a network of cotton growers, carders, weavers, distributors, and users. . It also embodied the dignity of labor, equality, unity, as all volunteers were… read more
