The Gandhi topi makes a comeback

Unless you are in your 80s and wearing the Gandhi topi has become a habit; you’d never have come across that white piece of khadi on young ‘heads’.
Once upon a time, the very same cap was a symbol of our freedom movement. Today, the Gandhi cap has become the coolest thing to sport and absolutely in vogue. Anna Hazare had already declared that he was following the pattern of Gandhiji’s struggle against the mighty British and probably it’s apt that today we are all watching youngsters, elders, children and even celebrities sporting the Gandhi cap with great gusto.After Gandhiji had popularized its use during our freedom struggle, a major part of that generation had started wearing the cap as a symbol of their support to Swadeshi.
“I don’t know the national scenario, but the caps that people are wearing in Ahmedabad are hardly fit to be called Gandhi topis,” says Kalyansinh Rathod of a leading khadi store. “The Gandhi topi is supposed to be made of khadi, but these caps are made of cotton!” And if you thought that our city khadi stores which rarely see buyers would be cheerful because these caps had takers, then that’s a misconception. Rathod clarifies, “Since khadi is handspun, it is a little costlier (between ` 45 and ` 55) than other materials. So, to save on the cost, these people are making it in cheaper fabrics. We got some inquires but there isn’t a notable increase in sale of this topi.”
Bhagwan Patil is one happy man now with his cotton adaption of the cap selling like hot dalwadas on a rainy day in Ahmedabad. “We have sold around 8,000 of them in a week,” says Patil, “I have hired tailors from outskirts of Ahmedabad who don’t get employment otherwise and they arrange the printing. Even my vendors are earning a livelihood today.” Patil pays `18 per cap, ` 3 for printing ‘Mein Anna Hun’ and sells it for ` 30.
Youngsters seem to be enjoying the new addition to their look, too. With so many people sporting the cap, it’s quite the rage. “I wear it because Anna wears it,” says young activist Rupal Thakkar, “It has become the symbol of this movement and I wear it as I support the cause. At least half of us know that it’s originally called Gandhi topi, but for the rest it’s Anna topi, especially when it reads that slogan”.
You may come up with a humble observation that Gandhi never had to write ‘Mein Gandhi Hun’ in the original version but today everybody loves the humble cap. For different reason.
nidhin.patel@timesgroup.com