Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to all Indians to pledge to buy and sell Swadeshi goods only, as this would ensure that the country’s money remains in the country and is used for development and welfare works that lead India to achieving the aim of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Addressing a huge gathering at Bhainsola village in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on his 75th birthday, PM Modi gave the slogan, “Garv se kaho, ye Swadeshi hai” (Say with pride, this is Indian). He asked everyone, including state governments, to initiate a drive to place boards with this slogan on all shops and commercial establishments.
“With the reduced GST rates coming into effect from Navratri on 22 September, everyone must take a vow to buy and sell swadeshi goods only”, the PM reiterated.
“When you buy any product, you must ensure that it carries the fragrance of the sweat and hard work of a Hindustani, along with the smell of the country’s soil,” Modi emphasized.
The PM’s remarks came at a time when India is facing a tariff attack from United States President Donald Trump, who has slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Indian products.
At today’s event, the PM laid the foundation stone of India’s first and biggest greenfield ‘PM MITRA’ textile park – spread across 2158 acres being built at a cost of Rs 2063 crore at Bhainsola – and launched various other welfare and health schemes for women, poor, and all sections of the society.
He expressed confidence that the park would go a long way in making Indian textile products more acceptable and competitive across the globe, and it would greatly promote Make in India products.
“The concept of Five ‘Fs’ – Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, Foreign would be achieved through this initiative and the entire value chain of the textile industry would be available at a single place. This will lower the cost of production and logistics”, the PM noted.
He emphasized that the poor are at the centre of all his welfare schemes.
“I have lived in poverty, so I understand what it means to be poor”, the PM stated. He asserted that his biggest aim is the service and welfare of the poor. “Service of the poor never goes to waste, and our government has succeeded in bringing 25 crore poor above the poverty line”, the PM informed.
He also stressed that his government’s top priorities include women, youth, poor, and farmers. “These are the four pillars on which a developed India would be built”, the PM asserted.
“Gareebon ki seva, aur Maaon Betiyon ki Garima, meri pooja aur mera prann hai”, (service of poor, and ensuring dignity of women is my worship and pledge), Modi stated.
Launching the ‘Swasthya Naari, Sashakta Parivaar’ (Healthy Women, Empowered Family) campaign, the PM made an emotional appeal to all women to get tested for various diseases at the lakhs of health checkup camps being organized by the government across the country from 17 September to 2 October.
“Mothers, sisters and daughters have always blessed me, and their blessings are my protective armour”, the PM said. “Now, as your son and brother, I am asking you to ensure that you get yourself checked at the health camps, as a woman’s good health ensures a healthy family and nation”, Modi said. He informed that all checkups and following treatment would be totally free of cost.
During the function, the PM also handed over the one croreth screening card for Sickle Cell disease in MP to a girl.
Proudly remembering ‘Operation Sindoor’, the PM said, “Recently we have all seen a video in which a Pakistani terrorist is narrating their ordeal while weeping.”
“Pakistani terrorists had wiped off the Sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters at Pahalgam. In retaliation, we wiped off the terrorists hiding in Pakistan from the face of this earth,” the PM stated. “Our valiant armed forces taught a befitting lesson to Pakistan and brought it to its knees in no time”, Modi maintained.
“We showed the world that this is the new India. It does not even fear anyone’s nuclear threats. This is the India that hits enemies inside their homes”, the PM reiterated.
The PM said that today is a proud day for another reason too, as 17 September was the day when our soldiers, under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, liberated Hyderabad. “Sadly, no previous government remembered this day. But we have honoured Sardar Patel and our soldiers by naming 17 September, as the ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’,” the PM informed.
He also lamented that previous governments gave no recognition or importance to Indian artisans, labourers and workers.
“We launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, and loans of more than Rs 4000 crore have been given to artisans, workers, and labourers. Indian hand artisans and workers are the real heroes of the ‘Make in India’ mission”, the PM noted.
PM Modi reiterated that the country is above all, and every Indian must pledge to live and work for the country, upholding the progress, development, safety, and security of India, as their top priority.
During the event, PM Modi also launched ‘Suman Sakhi chatbot’, ‘8th National Nutrition Week’, ‘Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyaan’, ‘Ek Bagiya Maa ke Naam Abhiyaan’, and disbursed financial aid to 10 lakh beneficiary women of the ‘PM Maatra Vandana Yojana’.
MP Governor Mangubhai Patel, CM Dr Mohan Yadav, and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
Earlier, the PM came inside the venue in a roadshow, standing atop an open SUV mini-truck and waving to people while they excitedly wished and greeted him on his birthday.