After Rasmalai comes Khadi. Residents of the district are pleased and delighted that Cumilla’s traditional Khadi fabric has been designated as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. This much-anticipated honour acknowledges the heritage cottage industry’s deep cultural roots and historical significanc.
Official Recognition and Government Initiative
On Wednesday (April 30), the certificate of GI recognition was presented at a special event organized by the Ministry of Industries at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium in Dhaka. The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry awarded this certification.
According to the Cumilla District Administration, the proposal for GI recognition of Khadi was submitted on March 31, 2024. As a result, Khadi was officially recognized among 24 products at this event. To date, a total of 55 Bangladeshi products have been granted GI status.
Of Comilla’s Three Brands, Two Are Well-Known
Previously, in 2023, Cumilla’s popular Rasmalai was listed as a GI product. Cumilla has now earned this prestigious prize for two of its three signature products, with Khadi joining the club. Bijoypur pottery, the last product, is also expected to receive GI certification shortly, according to locals.
A symbol of Cumilla’s history, sociopolitical movements, and tenacious nature, Khadi is more than just a cloth. It has been this way for a hundred years. The Khadi company set up shop in Comilla in 1921, along with Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, which promoted a boycott of foreign goods. Gandhi impressed the people of Comilla when he came there and spun yarn on a traditional Charkha spinning wheel.
The Bengali term “khader” (pit), where craftspeople would sit and spin yarn, is whence the name “Khadi” originates. Because of their passion for their homeland, people adopted locally produced goods, and the slogan “Thick clothes, thick rice” became a rallying cry for the Swadeshi (indigenous) movement.
Modern Revival from Cottage Industry
Nowadays, there are more than 300 Khadi clothing stores in Cumilla city along the route from Kandirpar to Rajganj. The fabric’s pattern and quality have significantly changed over time. Comilla’s Khadi has gained appeal both domestically and abroad thanks to the combination of innovation, modern aesthetics, and tradition.
This sector was maintained in large part by Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, the founder of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD). But in the last few decades, when government assistance has decreased, the Khadi industry has survived thanks to local artists and entrepreneurs.
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Local Sentiment and Hopes
Pradip Raha Kanti, a senior Khadi entrepreneur and owner of Cumilla Khadi Ghar, expressed:
“This recognition symbolizes the hard-fought struggle of our industry. We now hope the government will actively support the commercial expansion of Khadi.”
Badru lHuda Zenu, former president of the Comilla Citizens’ Committee, stated:
“Khadi is more than a product—it is a symbol of political consciousness. It was part of the anti-British swadeshi movement, making it an integral part of our national identity. This recognition uplifts our cultural spirit.”
The Path Ahead
In addition to raising Comilla’s stature, Khadi’s GI recognition demonstrates the potential of Bangladesh’s larger cottage businesses. This accomplishment gives Cumilla residents optimism that their local legacy will continue to be celebrated on a national and international level, as they wait for Bijoypur pottery to get comparable recognition.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
