PM calls for Swadeshi push to achieve ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal

Stressing the importance of Swadeshi products, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to the people of India to embrace Indian goods and support the mantra of “Vocal for Local.”

He said Aatmanirbhar Bharat would help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.

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Addressing the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, “At this time, the whole country is celebrating the pomp and fervour of Ganesh Utsav. The radiance of many festivals will spread in the coming days.”

“You should never forget Swadeshi during these festivals. Gifts should be made in India, attire should be woven in India, décor should be crafted from Indian materials, luminary items from India-made frills, and many more; everything in every need of life should be Swadeshi,” he added.

The Prime Minister urged citizens to take pride in indigenous products.
“We have to move forward with this feeling of pride for Swadeshi and say with pride, ‘This is Swadeshi.’ One mantra – Vocal for Local; one path – Aatmanirbhar Bharat; one goal – Viksit Bharat,” he stressed.

Later, in a post on X, PM Modi wrote in Hindi: “Proudly say, this is Swadeshi!”

Recently in Gujarat too, he reiterated his call for self-reliance and greater reliance on indigenous products, stating that the road to Viksit Bharat lies through Swadeshi. He urged manufacturers, traders and consumers to adopt Made in India as a “life mantra.”

“Gradually improve quality, reduce prices, and instil confidence in Indian products. The people of Hindustan will never take anything from outside,” he said.

In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, he also reminded citizens to uphold cleanliness during the festive season. “Amidst all this joy, keep emphasising cleanliness, because where there is cleanliness, the joy of festivals rises even more,” he added.

The Prime Minister expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to natural disasters, including floods and landslides caused by heavy rains and cloudbursts in different parts of the country.

“In this monsoon season, natural disasters are testing the country. During the last few weeks, we have witnessed grave devastation caused by floods and landslides. At places, homes were destroyed; at others, fields were submerged; families were ruined; elsewhere, bridges were swept away; roads washed away; and lives endangered,” he said.

He noted that these incidents have saddened every Indian.
“The pain of families who lost their loved ones is our shared pain. Wherever the crisis struck, NDRF-SDRF personnel, security forces and others toiled day and night to save people,” he added.

Highlighting the use of modern technology in rescue work, he said thermal cameras, life detectors, sniffer dogs and drone surveillance were deployed to speed up relief operations. Relief material was delivered by helicopters and the injured were airlifted.

“In the moment of disaster, the army came forward to help. Local people, social workers, doctors and the administration — everyone made every possible effort. I express heartfelt gratitude to every citizen who placed humanity above everything else in this testing time,” he said.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “Amidst this devastation, Jammu and Kashmir has also attained two very special achievements.” He highlighted Pulwama’s first-ever day-night cricket match as part of the Royal Premier League and the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake in Srinagar.

Thousands of youth participated in the cricket match, while more than 800 athletes from across India competed in the water sports event. Congratulating Madhya Pradesh for winning the maximum medals, followed by Haryana and Odisha, he praised the hospitality of the people and administration of Jammu and Kashmir.

PM Modi also shared how Indian culture was gaining global recognition. He cited the unveiling of a statue of Maharishi Valmiki in Camp-Rotondo, Italy; the inauguration of a 51-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram in Mississauga, Canada; and a Ramayana exhibition in Vladivostok, Russia.

He narrated the inspiring story of ‘Solar Didi’ Devki from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, who used solar pumps to transform farming and boost farmers’ income. He urged people to adopt solar power, noting that solar rice mills and pumps were increasing farmers’ earnings nationwide.

“The same farm, the same hard work, the same farmer… but now the result of such hard work is much greater. This change is coming through solar energy,” he added.