PM Modi Bats For Swadeshi Movement Post GST Rejig, Urges Indians To Embrace Indigenous Products

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday issued a powerful call to Indian citizens, encouraging them to convert each home into a representation of "Made-in-India" movement, promoting a nationwide renaissance of swadeshi principles as the foundation for establishing a self-reliant and progressive India.

During his speech to the nation, the PM stressed the importance of deliberate selection of domestically manufactured items, connecting the swadeshi philosophy to India's independence movement. 

The Prime Minister encouraged Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to strive for internationally competitive standards and breakthrough innovation, identifying them as crucial drivers of India's economic expansion. He highlighted that governmental economic transformations are designed to strengthen these sectors, especially through the new tax policy changes under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.

GST Reforms Drive Consumer Benefits

Emphasising GST's benefits, Modi said that the consolidated tax structure is strengthening the economy while providing advantages to consumers. 

"Our shopkeepers are happy to pass on these gains to consumers. We must follow the spirit of Nagrik Devo Bhava, and GST reforms reflect this," he mentioned.

He attributed the GST transformation with addressing persistent federal disagreements and streamlining the taxation framework. "This reform has been done keeping in mind the future needs of the nation," he explained, observing that the system currently functions on merely two rates -- 5 per cent and 18 per cent. He anticipated that citizens would benefit from savings of Rs 2.5 lakh crore during the current year.

"The comb in our pocket -- whether it is made in India or not, we don't even know," he stated, urging citizens to give precedence to locally produced goods. 

"We need to buy made-in-India products and make every household a symbol of swadeshi. Garv se kaho, ye swadeshi hai."

Modi made an appeal to regional administrations to enhance assistance for indigenous production and draw investment, presenting swadeshi not merely as a nationalistic decision but as an economic necessity. 

He highlighted the critical function of MSMEs in realizing this objective. "I have a lot of expectations from MSMEs. They were key contributors to the economy during India's golden years. We need to return to that age," he expressed.