Syndrome X
Studies show that Indians are genetically predisposed to physiological symptoms collectively called Syndrome X. This makes them highly susceptible to heart disease. Fortunately, technology can help detect coronary artery disease at an early stage.

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Having failed to make headway with the cease-fire, the Centre is now trying to talk peace on Kashmir, internally through its negotiator K.C. Pant and externally with Pakistan's Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. But will anything come out of this?

Good Monsoon
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The traditional link between the monsoon and the economy weakens.

Slippery Deal
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LIFESTYLE: DESIGNER KHADI

Challenge Comes From Within

However, in an archaic, autonomous cooperative set-up, even one bankrolled almost entirely by government subsidies and sops, structural changes aren't easy to bring about. Interestingly, the opposition to the new khadi line is coming not from competitors like Fabindia or Biotique but from within the khadi parivar itself. Already there are rumblings within the die-hard, conservative khadi lobby: "What do a former princess and a bunch of city slickers know about khadi and village industries?" Their cynicism may be facetious but their fears are comprehensible. Sweeping the khadi closet clean is bound to raise a lot of dust. However, Sawhney, is quick to apply the salve. "We are not aiming at exclusive high-end boutiques," he points out. "Khadi shops are for the masses and, of course, are going to remain so."

Of the 15,000-odd khadi outlets in the country, only 27 are owned by the KVIC and of these only a handful will stock the new designer line, the pricing of which is being kept at a strict base level. As Sawhney asks, "Where will one be able to buy a Rohit Bal churidar-kurta for Rs 750?" Besides, the new lines are not to intimidate the regular khadi customer-the badly stitched baggy kurtas will still be available at their current prices-but to attract people who would normally never think of buying a KVIC product.

Also, this is happening at no cost to the national exchequer. The KVIC is not investing any money on the revamp. On the contrary, it's the suppliers who are investing in new labels and packaging material. The designers too have worked for gratis. "Khadi is such a versatile fabric and such a potent national symbol that this was the least we could do for it," says Bal, as he packs his bags for a major fashion show in Paris, where, incidentally, he's also showing his khadi clothes.

Raje plans to rope in two or three major designers every six months or so to do some free work for the KVIC. Having begun with clothes and herbal cosmetics, she intends to widen the ambit with new furnishings, handmade paper products, leather items and even furniture. Already, Delhi's Hyatt Regency hotel has decided to put khadi cosmetics in all its bathrooms replacing the Biotique shampoos and body lotions. By and large, the move to revamp the KVIC product line has been welcomed. "I think it's a brilliant idea and one which will serve the cause of khadi well," says design guru Rajiv Sethi. Interior designer and conservator Sunita Kohli agrees: "At last I will be able to shop for khadi, which is my favourite summer fabric, with pleasure."

At a time when the accent the world over is on natural and handmade products, Raje's dream of making khadi a globally recognised brand is not unattainable. But whether it happens through the aegis of the KVIC or some other private enterprise is something that only time will tell.

MetroScape

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