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Special on the Jayanti of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay
The “Swasth Nari – Sashakt Parivar” campaign was launched in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, on September 17. During a large public gathering held on this occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi urged the citizens to embrace Swadeshi. He appealed to the people to “buy whatever you buy from within the country—let it be made by Indian hands, carry the sweat of Indian workers, and bear the fragrance of Indian soil.” This call for Swadeshi is not limited to Dhar; for several months, the Prime Minister has been emphasizing in his public addresses that Swadeshi and Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) are the true guarantees of a developed India.
To connect every citizen with the call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched the “Viksit Bharat” campaign. This campaign will commence on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay (September 25) and continue through the purchase of Khadi on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (October 2) — the great leader who inspired the spirit of Swadeshi — until December 25, the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a symbol of India’s pride.
Defining Swadeshi, Mahatma Gandhi said, “It is the feeling that inspires us to use the goods and services available nearby. The essence of Swadeshi is serving those nearby with a sense of family.” Similarly, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay emphasized that “policy should prioritize village-based entrepreneurship and local production.”
Defining Swadeshi, Mahatma Gandhi said, “It is the feeling that inspires us to use the goods and services available nearby. The essence of Swadeshi is serving those nearby with a sense of family.”
The late Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who took pride in the Hindi language, also elevated India’s national pride through the successful nuclear tests.
The campaign being conducted during this period is a meaningful initiative to connect society with the ideals of Swadeshi.
The dangers posed by capitalist, communist, and socialist systems—which center either on the individual or the state in the name of ensuring human happiness—are evident across the world today. All these systems favor centralization and foster class conflict. Their foundations rest solely on consumption, leading to the exploitation of nature through the assumption of ownership over natural resources, which in turn has triggered environmental crises. Irregular, excessive, and unseasonal rainfall are among the consequences of this interference with nature. Driven by monopolistic mindsets, such systems resort to tariffs or wars to dominate their opponents. Viewing the world merely as a market, they have cultivated rivalry rather than fraternity among humankind.
Since independence, India too, influenced by this foreign allure, has begun to imitate Western and communist models. If this cycle continues unchecked, both humanity and global peace will face a grave threat.
The Swadeshi movement advocates the development of village-centered small industries that generate employment, protect the environment, require less energy and capital, and strengthen social bonds. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya stated, “The spirit of Antyodaya (the welfare of the poorest) is that the fruits of development should reach the lowest level. Therefore, the empowerment of local products is both a moral and an economic necessity.”
During British rule, the Swadeshi movement became a powerful means of resisting colonial authority and uniting society. At that time, celebrations such as Ganeshotsav, the Holi of foreign clothes, and the spinning wheel became enduring symbols of Swadeshi.
Today, as we revisit the idea of Swadeshi, our focus must be on making Indian products world-class. We must harness advanced technology to demonstrate our innovation across all areas of social and economic life. Indian products should emerge as leaders in the global marketplace.
Based on the mantra of self-reliance, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has undertaken meaningful initiatives across multiple sectors since 2014. The results of these efforts are visible not only within the country but also across the world.
Owing to the government’s “Make in India” and “Make for India” policies, the vision of indigenous production and self-reliance in the defense sector has become a reality. Today, India manufactures the BrahMos missile, whose effectiveness was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. Our defense exports have risen to approximately Rs. 24,000 crore, with Indian defense products now being sold to nearly 100 countries.
India has achieved remarkable progress in semiconductor development, while our space missions — Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan — have showcased India’s
technological prowess to the world. The MSME sector now contributes nearly 30% to India’s GDP, and our startup ecosystem has set new records.
Through the Vocal for Local initiative and the One District, One Product (ODOP)
Based on the mantra of self-reliance, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has undertaken meaningful initiatives across multiple sectors since 2014
program, local products have gained recognition in global markets. We once imported bulletproof jackets for our military and paramilitary forces — today, we export them to over 100 countries. In mobile phone manufacturing, exports have surged from Rs. 1,566 crore in 2014–15 to Rs. 1,20,000 crore in 2023–24. Exports of generic medicines and vaccines have grown from $11 billion in 2014 to $24 billion today.
India has also ended its dependence on China in the toy sector and now exports toys globally. We are manufacturing high-efficiency railway coaches that meet international standards and supplying them to 10 countries. Additionally, India exports organic products to more than 100 nations.
These examples reflect not only the talent and determination of our people but also reinforce our confidence that India possesses the capability to achieve self-reliance in every sphere.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called for freedom from all forms of slavery. Swadeshi, he emphasized, is not confined to economics—it is a way of life that encompasses pride in our language, clothing, traditions, and culture.
In his Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister urged people to choose “gifts made in India, clothing woven in India, decorations for festivals crafted with Indian-made materials, and lighting adorned with Indian-made garlands.” Responding to this call, the collective actions of citizens will create employment opportunities, reduce foreign dependence, and ensure that the nation’s wealth remains within India—fueling its development and supporting the welfare of the poor.
Such behavior reflects the true spirit of Swadeshi—a pledge toward India’s prosperity and transformation into a developed nation. Through this, prosperity will flourish, and our culture will continue to be nurtured.
{The writer is National Joint General Secretary (Organization) of BJP}