A -
A +

A khadi stole will be part of the dress code that 207 Anant National University (ANU) students will follow as part of their convocation ceremony on Friday. So, what is unique?

Well, the khadi stoles, have been lovingly created by the juniors of the graduating students with whom they not only shared notes and experience but also a special bond.

The rust-coloured stoles with the varsity’s logo-inspired design at both ends were woven as part of a course, said an official. It was woven on the four looms that are eight decades old.
Of the total 400 stoles, 150 stoles were entirely created by junior students including the weaving, while the rest of stoles were created from khadi material given to them.

Risha Roy, head of Sustainable Fashion and Textile Department at ANU said khadi was chosen as it is not only mandated by UGC but is also sustainable. “It is a testimony to our rich textile heritage. The varsity could have easily outsourced the job. But creating it on the varsity’s loom helped students learn the process of fibre production which is part of the subject – fabric construction,” said Roy.
She said students began making stoles under the guidance of master weavers in January and after learning the basics and some quality challenges they were finally able to make two stoles on a loom per day.

“From June, the students were exposed to hand-spinning techniques, learnt to weave and then made the stoles. The students, based on their performance will also be awarded marks for this 4 credit course,” she said.
Roy said they also wanted to pass on the legacy and symbolise the bond between students through the khadi stole as it is a philosophy which represents ethical conduct and is inclusive. “Through khadi stoles, ethos is being shared with the graduating batch,” she said.
Vaidehi Kamte, a semester-5 student, who made a stole for her senior said that she felt grateful. “The stole not only signifies sustainability, it represents the attachment and camaraderie we shared with our seniors. As they are made in-house, it makes our association with such ceremonial events much more special,” she said.

One of the graduating students, Ali Asgar Chunawala, who will be wearing the stole made by his junior called it special.
“Our friends in the junior batch have worked hard. Usually, such ceremonial stoles remain unused after a convocation but I will certainly use it again or frame it,” said the final year Masters in Integrated Product Design student.

Source: https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/at-anant-national-university/81846866.html