This black and white picture was taken by Margaret Bourke-White, when Gandhi was in Yerwada Jail, Pune. Gandhi was reading the news, sitting on the mattress with his head down. His portable spinning wheel, or charkha,can be seen in the forefront in this picture. It is on this charkha that he spun his own thread and advocated that Indians boycott British goods by making homespun cloth. This picture was taken with the purpose of being published in an article on India's leaders, but did not end up appearing in it. Later on though, within two years, in a tribute published after the assassination of Gandhi, this photograph was prominently featured.

"I feel convinced that the revival of hand-spinning hand-weaving will make the largest contribution to the economic and the moral regeneration of India. Spinning to me is the means to establish communion with God, and Khadi is the symbol of unity of Indian humanity. Moreover, Khadi mentality means decentralization of power and the hope of the masses. It provides the golden bridge between the rich and the poor. "