Replica of Gandhi's spinning wheel a big draw in Coimbatore

A 15-foot long and nine-foot high 'charkha' (spinning wheel) erected at the Race Course road here has become the cynosure of all eyes on the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi Tuesday.

The six-and-a-half-foot wide spinning wheel is a replica of the one used by the Mahatma to spin khadi yarn, with a view to promoting locally-made clothes after boycotting foreign clothes during the freedom struggle.

The aim of showcasing the 'charkha' is to create awareness among youngsters and others on the Khadi movement.

A large-size photograph of Gandhi spinning the wheel, too, has been placed.

The spinning wheel and the photograph of the freedom fighter were put up as part of the anniversary celebrations organised by Deshabhakthan (The Patriot), an organisation promoting Gandhian ideals, in association with Lions Club of Aristo.

Also, there is a proposal to create a 51-foot long, 33-foot high and 27-foot wide charkha and keep it at a Gandhi museum near here, sources in Lions Club said.