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The concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is not merely an economic policy but a symbol of civilizational resurgence. It reflects a confluence of Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of ‘Swadeshi’, Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of ‘Antyodaya’, and the vision of a modern, technologically advanced India. In this framework, self-reliance is not only a policy goal—it is an expression of national character.
India’s spirit of self-reliance is deeply rooted in its cultural and social traditions. Historically, our villages functioned as self-sufficient units, each with a balanced system of production, exchange, and consumption. However, British colonial rule disrupted this equilibrium, transforming India from a producer to a consumer of foreign goods.
Mahatma Gandhi made ‘Swadeshi’ the foundation of the freedom struggle to break this mental slavery. Everyday items such as khadi, the spinning wheel, salt, and traditional handicrafts became powerful symbols of national identity. Gandhiji emphasized that “Swadeshi is not merely an economic policy, but a symbol of self-respect.”
Today, the same spirit of self-reliance is re-emerging in a modern and dynamic form. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Vocal for Local’ and Local to Global’ reflects the contemporary expression of that sentiment. In this vision, self-reliance
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘From chip to ship in India’ is now taking shape in the fields of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. This represents the true embodiment of Swadeshi 2.0—the technological transformation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
means not only producing for our own needs but also establishing India’s unique identity and strength on the global stage.
Over the past decade, India’s progress on the path of self-reliance has surprised the world. In 2014, India ranked 142nd in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index; today, it stands among the top 60 countries. Initiatives such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have sparked a new wave of growth in the manufacturing sector.
Mobile manufacturing is a notable example. A country that was almost entirely dependent on imports a decade ago is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. India has also made remarkable strides in achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. The Tejas fighter jet, Pinaka rocket systems, Akash missile, and the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant stand as strong evidence of India’s growing technological and strategic capabilities.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘From chip to ship in India’ is now taking shape in the fields of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. This represents the true embodiment of Swadeshi 2.0—the technological transformation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Even after seven decades of political independence, various forms of external influence continue to exist in India’s economy. The dominance of foreign brands, global consulting firms, control over digital data, and influence on consumer behavior reflect the new form of modern economic colonialism.
The objective of Swadeshi 2.0 goes far beyond increasing domestic production. Its aim is to establish self-reliance at the policy, technological, and intellectual levels. Ensuring national data security, promoting Indian consulting expertise, prioritizing indigenous research, and encouraging home-grown innovation are the defining features of this new era of true economic independence.
Gandhiji challenged the British Empire by organizing bonfires of foreign cloth, transforming it into a powerful act of economic resistance. Today, we must free ourselves from the dominance of foreign brands, digital platforms, and consumer-driven dependencies. This is the foundation of economic self-reliance in modern India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s model of self-reliance is not confined to large industries; it is a developmental framework that reaches the last person at the grassroots. The Jan Dhan Yojana brought 550 million people into the formal banking system, Ujjwala Yojana provided smoke-free kitchens to 100 million women, and the PM Svanidhi scheme extended collateral-free loans to small street vendors, empowering livelihoods at the ground level.
Today, ‘Digital India’ and the ‘Gati Shakti’ initiative have connected rural India with industrial and economic networks. UPI has taken digital financial transactions to every village, making payments simple, secure, and universal. India has now emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem—an inspiring reflection of the confidence and creativity of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Additionally, the central government’s reduction of GST on 395 products this year will not only provide relief to common consumers but also strengthen domestic manufacturing and encourage local enterprise.
India is now presenting self-reliance not merely as a national priority, but as a service to humanity. In 2024–25, India’s exports reached nearly $500 billion. In the pharmaceutical sector, India continues to be the world’s largest producer of generic medicines, ensuring affordable healthcare for nations across the globe.
The Jan Dhan Yojana brought 550 million people into the formal banking system, Ujjwala Yojana provided smoke-free kitchens to 100 million women, and the PM Svanidhi scheme extended collateral-free loans to small street vendors, empowering livelihoods at the ground level
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India emerged as a ‘Vaccine Mitra’ to the world by supplying life-saving vaccines to numerous countries. This act exemplified how ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is rooted in the timeless Indian ideal of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the belief that the whole world is one family.
Rajasthan has played a significant role in bringing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat to reality. In sectors such as solar energy, minerals, agro-processing, handicrafts, and MSMEs, the state has strengthened the identity of ‘Made in Rajasthan’ and linked it with national pride. Jaisalmer and Jodhpur have emerged as hubs of renewable energy production, while Jaipur is rapidly becoming a center for startup innovation. These achievements demonstrate that self-reliance is no longer just a slogan—it has become an integral part of policy and development planning.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that “Aatmanirbhar Bharat is the Swaraj of the 21st century.” This Swaraj goes beyond political freedom and represents economic, technological, and cultural independence. Today, the need is for self-reliance to transcend government policies and become a way of life for every citizen. India will truly become self-reliant only when citizens consciously choose local products, traders prioritize Indian goods in their markets, and policymakers frame decisions free from external influence.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Charkha (symbol of self-sufficiency), Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Antyodaya (upliftment of the poorest), and Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat together define the essence of Swadeshi 2.0. This new Swadeshi will free India from the remnants of the colonial mindset and illuminate the nation with self-respect, innovation, and shared prosperity.
(The writer is Chief Minister of Rajasthan)