Thiruvananthapuram: It was khadi, the humble homespun cloth, that Mahatma Gandhi used to instill self-reliance in his country. And now, the Khadi Board has found perhaps the ideal icon to represent the brand: Hanan. From selling fish to taking tuitions and acting minor roles in films, this 20-year-old college student has done it all to stay afloat.
Hanan was the showstopper at the Khadi Fashion Show held as part of the board's annual Onam-Bakrid sales that began at Kanakakkunnu Palace here on Wednesday. Through a crowd of models in colourful khadi silk sarees, Hanan emerged like an angel in a resplendent off-white khadi saree and indigo blue blouse with golden floral designs and borders.
However, Khadi Board vice chairperson Shobhana George clarified that there were no plans to use Hanan in a sustained role as khadi's brand ambassador. “We called her to be the showstopper at the fashion show. We have not thought about a brand ambassador role for her at the moment,” George told Onmanorama. “But by showcasing Hanan at this show, we are trying to propagate the values of self-reliance among the youth,” she said.
Hanan was given pride of place at the inaugural of the Onam-Bakrid expo. She was seated in the front row, along with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, industries minister A C Moideen and Shobhana George. She refused to sit down initially, apparently overwhelmed by the situation. Shobhana George was seen trying her best to make her sit. She just stood in front of the seat, smiling. Eventually, the chief minister, in his typical stern manner, asked her to sit, and Hanan obliged.
All through the function, she was smiling, holding Shobhana George close. However, the chief minister did not mention her once during his speech. He might have probably said all that he wanted during Hanan's visit to his office earlier. During the chief minister's speech, Hanan was seen asking Shobhana George to give her the programme notice. After thinking for a while, she scribbled something on it.
Later, when the chief minister was about to present her a miniature glass-enclosed 'charkha,' she asked him permission to recite a poem that she had just penned. “You don't have to give me the present if you don't like this poem,” she said. An amused Pinarayi Vijayan agreed. She then recited a two-line poem, a mini haiku of sorts, that got over before one could get a grip on its content. It felt like a thanksgiving of sorts to the Lord who had suddenly showered a magical light on her. The chief minister happily presented her the glassed 'charkha,' and also a pen.
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