Bhubaneswar, Feb. 23: The Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board has planned to set up a museum in the city on the lines of Sabarmati Ashram, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's Khadi movement.
There are a series of hut-like structures on the premises of the board that would be converted into a museum. These will house information on the Mahatma's visits to the state and his contributions to the freedom struggle of Odisha. The Father of the Nation had made seven trips to Odisha between 1921 and 1946.
The museum will include a picture and an audio or video gallery where all the pictures of Gandhi made by the painters from the state will be exhibited. Moreover, rare documentaries on the freedom fighter made by Odia film-makers will also be put up on display.
The board authorities are contacting a number of nationally acclaimed trusts on Gandhi and veteran leaders to gather information on the same. "We will speak to the freedom fighters, who will help us gather information. We will record their statements of experiences of working with Gandhi and preserve it for the future generations," said board president Tejeswar Parida.
A centre for research on Gandhi will also be inaugurated to promote study of the leader's association with Odisha. The entire museum will be painted in brick red colour. The authorities have submitted a proposal to the government and also sought an amount of Rs 5 crore to set up the museum. "We are quite optimistic about the project and believe that it would be an asset to the state's cultural heritage. As soon as we receive the amount, we will begin work," said Parida.
Plans are also on to set up a design kiosk where prominent designers will be invited to carve apparels in accordance with the latest trends. Visitors can either customise their dresses or grab one from the display counter.
Following the success of the state-level khadi exhibition held on the premises of the board in December, the state government is organising a national-level exhibition on February 26. Around 200 kiosks will be set up at the fair, and weavers from around 20 states across the country and around 15 districts in Odisha will take part in it.
An array of garments made from khadi fabrics such as cotton, linen, tussar and silk will be available, apart from a number of handicraft items made from horns, straws, brass and wood.
