Governor Syed Sibtey Razi at the launch of the e-charkha on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi , Oct. 2: The spinning wheel that once symbolised the Indian quest for liberty got a fresh lease of life on Thursday when its improved version was launched here by the Khadi Village Industries Board.

The traditional “charkha”, described by Mahatma Gandhi as a tool to achieve freedom, would now appear in its new avatar “e-charkha” and would help the users in generating electricity, recharging mobile phones and listening to FM radio.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi and Chief Minister Shibu Soren unveiled the e-charkha on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Morabadi ground on Thursday.

Developed by a Bangalore based engineer R.S. Hiremath, the e-charkha can generate and store electricity. When a user spins the yarn for two hours continuously, a power back up for seven hours is generated in the device.

It has lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. The cost of the e-charkha is Rs 12,000 for the one having eight spindles and Rs 5,500 for the two spindled unit.

The e-charkha has been brought from Khadi commission board, Gujarat and designed by Bangalore based company Flashron.

While lauding the efforts of Jharkhand Khadi board, the Governor said that the entire world was moving towards e-governance. “Gandhiji always looked forward for a change. He showed his concern for the village development. The state khadi board has fulfiled his dream by entering into technology revolution,” said Razi.

Chief Minister Shibu Soren, while speaking on Gandhi’s philosophy said the dream of Gandhi would come to reality only by developing the villages and providing economical independence to the villagers. “He taught us to spin the yarns for financial security, which we forgot conveniently. We no more feel proud in wearing Khadi,' Soren added.

“Khadi should be promoted by the society as it has the potential to fight rural poverty,” he added.

Meanwhile, state industry minister Sudhir Mahto said that government would provide loans to the barbers, band masters and puffed rice sellers to help them expand their business.