Pune: Students of New English School in the city have sent a five-metre cloth to weave coats for President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi as a token of respect on Wednesday.
Around 30 students of Std IX and X have spun cotton yarns on Amber Charkhas and produced a five-metre cloth. The cloth was prepared in Wardha and as a gesture of respect, the school decided to send the first piece of cloth produced by the students to the President and Prime Minister on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti which was celebrated recently.
A two-and-a-half metre cloth of five-metre cloth was sent to President and another half to Prime Minister.
“It came as a surprise and joy for us that the cloth material produced by us will be given to our leaders. This has brought enthusiasm among most of us and we wish to be attached to the activity even next year,” said Pranav Vagga, a student of Std X.
“First of all, it was fascinating for us when we observed our seniors spinning cotton yarns. It evoked interest among us and we had requested the teacher to enrol for it. Although, the charkha which we used was not similar to what Gandhi did, but it was still interesting and fun to work on it, as the spinning wheel has a great history,” said Vagga.
For the initiative, the school brought three Amber Charkhas from the Sevagram Ashram at Wardha. The initial training was given to teachers by Madhav Sahastrabuddhe, a mathematics teacher who also conducts workshops for students in spinning and weaving.
In the beginning, they would spin yarns for two hours during the school time and since last year, they did it for one hour before school in the morning.
“To spin thread for a two-metre cloth, it takes around 8-10 hours, which is difficult task for these students to do along with their curriculum. Also, threads for the five-meter cloth was also produced in the duration of two years. The school has only three charkhas and only three students are able to spin at once. However, we will continue the practice and whatever the students come out with, they can at least make a handkerchief for themselves,” said Swati Jajjal, a teacher who heads the spinning workshop at the school.
“And to encourage and appreciate the efforts, we thought about sending it to President and Prime Minister. It will also highlight the fact that even students like them can do such work and be recognised,” added Jajjal.
“We had started training students to spin cotton yarns and weave clothes which is one of the skill training among the various other under skill development programmes almost two years ago. The objective was to educate students about life lessons beyond books. It also helps in increasing concentration and persistence level,” said Nagesh Mone, Principal of New English School.
