This festive season, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar proudly unveiled ‘Charkha: The Tree of Tomorrow’, a stunning 10-foot Christmas tree that beautifully merges the spirit of the holidays with a powerful message of sustainability and empowerment. Created in collaboration with ‘Vikara’, a project under the ‘Khadi India’ initiative, the tree fabric was meticulously crafted by skilled artisans in Dehradun, blending traditional weaving techniques with a modern vision for a greener tomorrow.
Rising tall in nature’s palette - Madder red, the hue of empowerment; marigold yellow, a whisper of hope; turmeric gold, a breath of vitality; onion peel brown, a bond with nature’s nurturing touch and Cutch, a deep, enduring shade of resilience - ‘Charkha: The Tree of Tomorrow’ stands as a living tribute to the timeless spirit of sustainability.
Handcrafted by five skilled artisans over 100 hours, using traditional weaving techniques that echo the warp and weft of ‘Khadi’, this 10-feet masterpiece is more than a mere creation - it is a celebration of self-reliance, a modern embodiment of Gandhi’s vision and a nod to the ‘Swadeshi’ movement.
At its core beats the rhythm of IHG’s ‘Journey to Tomorrow’, where every thread woven and every natural dye chosen promises a greener, more harmonious future. Adorned with upcycled treasures, this tree isn’t just a Christmas symbol - it’s a radiant beacon, inviting all to reflect, act and weave a world where sustainability isn’t a choice, but a way of life.
The unveiling of the Christmas tree was accompanied by a series of exciting festive activities designed to spread joy and community spirit. These included a magical ‘Santa Meet and Greet’, where families had the opportunity to create lasting memories with Santa, a delightful Christmas choir performance by the children of Seth M R Jaipuria School, Noida Extension, filling the air with beautiful festive melodies and a gingerbread house unveiling, showcasing the artistry and holiday cheer crafted by the in-house chefs.
Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager, IHG Southwest Asia and General Manager of Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar, shared: “This holiday season at Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar, we’re doing more than celebrating - we’re sparking real, lasting change. Our Christmas tree, brought to life by local artisans, is a vibrant reflection of our core values: sustainability, community and conscious living. It’s not just a festive symbol; it’s a call for action, urging our guests and team to embrace the responsibility we all share in shaping a better future. Sustainability isn’t a trend for us - it’s woven into the fabric of our daily practices and decision-making. This tree represents our unwavering commitment to doing business the right way, with respect for the planet and the people we serve. We invite everyone who walks through our doors to join us in creating a world where thoughtful choices lead to powerful, positive change.”
Mansi Ranghar, the founder of ‘Vikara’ shares, “We’ve blended the ancient art of ‘Khadi’ weaving with a contemporary vision, using the ‘Charkha’ as our foundation. In Dehradun, artisans skilfully wove the tree’s intricate structure, selecting natural dyes sourced directly from nature. Madder root, known for its deep red hue, was carefully extracted by boiling the root of the Madder plant. Marigold petals picked fresh from local farms, provided the warm yellow, while turmeric was ground into a powder to create its rich golden colour. The earthy brown of onion peel was achieved by soaking the peel in water and Cutch, a natural dye obtained from the heartwood of the Acacia tree, was used for its deep, enduring shade. The warp and weft of the weave mirror the timeless rhythm of ‘Khadi’ and each thread tells a story of conscious choices - embracing our heritage while pushing towards a sustainable future.”