MUMBAI: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission has married modern day music to the humble charkha, and also proposes to generate electricity through a unique product.

Spinning the yarn that became the symbol of the Indian national struggle will never be the same again. The e-charkha, to be formally launched by the president of India on 19 November 2007, will allow users to listen to music while spinning the charkha and generate electricity that can be used when the power goes off.

The e-charkha has been developed by a Bangalore-based engineer, who has been active in the field of non-conventional energy resources, says a report in the Hindu Business Line.

The charkha has a maintenance-free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. Spinning the charkha for about two hours will give backup power for six to seven hours of basic lighting and playing radio.