NEW DELHI: Amid an ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his call for citizens to embrace ‘Swadeshi’ or Indian-made products, framing the choice as a pivotal driver of national prosperity.
In a public address, the Prime Minister drew a parallel between the role of the Swadeshi movement in India’s independence struggle and its potential to empower the nation’s economic future. He expressed concern that foreign influence has diluted public awareness of what constitutes a domestic versus a foreign product.
PM Modi stated that conscious consumer choices are fundamental to this effort. His comments come as the government’s recent GST reforms, which he hailed as a “festival offer” for the middle class, are expected to encourage many to make significant purchases, like a first car, in the upcoming festive season.
“‘The way the country’s independence got strengthened by the Swadeshi movement, similarly, India’s prosperity will get empowered by the mantra of Swadeshi’,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying.
This appeal reinforces a consistent message from his administration. On August 25, he had suggested that businesses prominently display signs identifying their goods as ‘Swadeshi’ and vowed that India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers and small businesses.
The Prime Minister has previously emphasized his unwavering commitment to the agricultural sector. Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on August 7, he declared that protecting the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers was his government’s top priority, even at a personal cost.
“Modi will stand like a wall against any move that harms them,” he affirmed, adding that India’s path to strength lies in producing high-quality, affordable goods guided by the principle of “Daam kam, dum zyaada” (lower cost, higher value).
-
-
-
-
