TAKING THE VIOLENCE OUT OF SILK
Taking the Violence out of Silk. Do you know how many silkworms are normally killed to make a silk sari? Kusuma Rajaiah, a 55-year old government officer from India’s Andhra Pradesh state, does: “Around 10,000.” Mr. Rajaiah estimates that around 15 silkworms are normally sacrificed to produce a gram of silk yarn. For years, he’s been battling against what he describes as the “cruel killing of millions of innocent worms.” But there’s no need to give up silk: Mr. Rajaiah has long come up with an alternative. He realized the lure of silk was too strong to persuade people to give it up altogether so he came up with a technique that spares the life of the silkworm. He’s the man who invented “Ahimsa” – or “nonviolent” – mulberry silk, a fabric which has since reached temples in Tamil Nadu and red carpets in Hollywood. India prides itself on its varieties of silk – the most popular of which is made from cocoons whose worms feed on mulberry leaves. Mulberry silk accounts for over 80% of the country’s total silk output, according to India’s Central Silk Board. The board showcases India’s various types of silk through a series of government-sponsored expos. Mr. Rajaiah, who holds the patent for eco-friendly mulberry silk, makes the special silk only on order. He says he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi – a proponent of Ahimsa, a principle which opposes harm to all living things. “Why should we torture and boil worms just for a luxury fabric?” said Mr. Rajaiah in a recent phone interview. In normal silk production silkworms are poured in boiling water inside their cocoons – at a stage believed to be best for silk production. Nonviolent silk – also known as “peace silk” –involves no such brutality: Silkworms first break out of their cocoons, which are then spun. Mr. Rajaiah reckons he has saved “billions” of silkworms since he first started weaving peace silk back in 1990. His company’s website shows animated pictures of moths fluttering their wings and “Free to Live” pop-out signs. Worms – unlike cuddly minks, ermines or chinchillas whose furs are coveted for coats and stoles – rarely make it on animal rights agendas. But “those who care about animals should care about worms too,” said Mr. Rajaiah. But can people really be swayed by worm rights? Nonviolent mulberry silk, which makes up a tiny percentage of overall silk output, occupies a niche in the market for eco-friendly but high quality silk, said M. Saatyawati, head of India’s Central Silk Board. It’s the sort of silk that’s starting to appeal to the eco-friendly glitterati globally. Among them is Suzy Amis, wife of Avatar’s James Cameron. The blue gown donned by Ms Amis at the 2010 Oscars ceremony, says Mr. Rajaiah, was made from worm-friendly fabric originally supplied by him. Peace silk requires waiting around 10 days for the larvae to grow into moths and to make their way out of their cocoon – compared to the 15 minutes it usually takes to boil them alive. At this later stage the cocoon yields six times less filament. This inflates the cost of nonviolent silk, which is priced at roughly 6,000 rupees ($ 134) per kilogram – about twice the price of the regular kind. Once woven, nonviolent silk is hard to distinguish from normal mulberry silk. Mr. Rajaiah is quick to point out that the higher price “is nothing compared to the lives of thousands of moths” that are spared. Another variety of silk known as “eri” silk – which accounts for about 12% of silk production in India – also spares the life of silkworms. But the quality is not as good as the mulberry sort, which is more expensive but shinier. Mr. Rajaiah’s regular customers include devotees from the temple town of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, who gave up regular silk after their local priest urged them to. Peace silk is also popular among Jainists, firm believers of the principle of non-violence. Although revenues have been steadily increasing since he first started selling peace silk about a decade ago, his business made just over $67,000 last year. But Mr. Rajaiah says he’s not in it for the money. “I am not a business person,” he said. “I do it for passion.” (The Wall Street Journal)
J. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:- (2*5=10)
1. The fact that non violent silk has reached even the red carpets in Hollywood indicates
an inclination towards adopting Ahimsa
b) a trend for eco friendly products
c) a fondness for silk
d) a Gandhian bent of mi
Why do you think there aren’t enough people advocating about worm rights?
Rahul a member of PETA, is impressed with the efforts of Mr.Rajaih in saving the worms. He wishes to do something to raise his sales. What can he do to help?
Is there a way to reduce the inflated cost of peace silk?
5. Which of the following phrases best describes Mr. Kusuma Rajaiah?
a) caring human being
b) rebel with a cause
c) a crusader for peace
d) a champion of worms
Answers
Answer:
- (b) a trend for eco-friendly products. The use of eco-friendly products has been a trend in trying to inspire people to do the same.
- There aren't many people advocating about worm rights because of lack of awareness among people regarding this violent method used for production, how it impacts the ecosystem and the ignorance regarding different being's life. Since it does not cause any direct harm to people or any direct profit people do not see it worth their advocacy.
- Since, Rahul is a part of PETA they can raise the issue worldwide, raise awareness among people and request countries to take actions for worm rights and openly supporting non violent production method.
- By increasing the production of non violent method that is to increase the supply is one way to reduce the cost. This could be done by growing Mulbery farms on which silkworm feels then requesting every farm to maintain some percentage of non violent method to extract silk. In addition, increasing reliance on technology may cut down the cost as well.
- The phrase which could be used for Mr. Kusuma Rajaiah could be a caring human being. The essence of humanity is to not just show kindness and respect towards the same beings but toward all the life forms which share this Earth with us and to not disrespect their lives just because they are not as capable as us.
- #SPJ3
Answer:
(b) a fashion for green merchandise.
Explanation:
The use of green merchandise has been a fashion in seeking to encourage humans to do the identical.
There are not many humans advocating approximately malicious program rights due to a lack of knowledge amongst humans concerning this violent technique used for manufacturing, the way it influences the atmosphere and the lack of information concerning distinctive beings' lifestyles. Since it does now no longer reason any direct damage to humans or any direct income humans do now no longer see it really well worth their advocacy.
Since, Rahul is part of PETA they are able to increase the problem worldwide, increase focus amongst humans and request international locations to take movements for malicious program rights and overtly help peaceful manufacturing techniques.
Growing the manufacturing of peaceful techniques this is to boom the deliver is one manner to lessen the value. This will be carried out through developing Mulberry farms on which silkworm feels then asking for each farm to keep a few per cent of peaceful technique to extract the silk. In addition, growing reliance on generation might also additionally reduce the value as well.
The word which will be used for Mr Kusuma Rajaiah will be a worrying human being. The essence of humanity is to now no longer simply display kindness and admire in the direction of the identical beings however towards all of the lifestyles paperwork which proportion this Earth with us and to now no longer disrespect their lives