‘Vocal for local’: PM calls for reducing use of foreign goods

PUNE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for reducing “slavery to foreign goods” and asserted that “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) was his government’s path and resolve for the future as Indian celebrates 75 years of Independence.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking at the inaugurating of the Jain International Trade Organisation’s ‘JITO Connect 2022’ business meet here via video conference, said the stress should be on the ‘vocal for local’ mantra and reducing the use of foreign goods.

“We have to reduce dependence on foreign products. Find new destinations for export; create awareness about the same in local markets. There should be products with zero defects and zero effects on environment,” he said.

“A self-reliant India is our path as well as our resolve. Over the years, we have worked continuously to create every necessary atmosphere for this,” Modi said.

He asked JITO to focus on the ‘vocal for local’ mantra during the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

“Today the country is encouraging talent, trade and technology as much as possible. Today the country is registering dozens of start-ups every day, creating a unicorn every week,” he said.

The government processes have become transparent, Modi said, and added that change is inevitable when the government has the will power to try and has people’s support.

The youth members of JITO are innovators and entrepreneurs, Modi said, and asked them to invest in natural farming with zero cost budget, food processing and farming technology, circular economy focused on recycling and reuse, technology and health care.

The Prime Minister urged the gathering to work for EARTH. He elaborated that ‘E’ means the prosperity of the Environment. He urged them to also discuss how they can support the efforts to make at least 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district by August 15 next year.

‘A’ means to make Agriculture more profitable and invest more and more in natural farming, farming technology and the food processing sector. ‘R’ means emphasising Recycling and the circular economy, working for Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. ‘T’ means taking Technology to as many people as possible. He urged the audience to consider how they can make other advanced technology like drone technology more accessible. ‘H’ means -Healthcare, he said that today, the government is doing a lot of work for the arrangements like healthcare, and medical colleges in every district in the country. He asked the gathering to think about how their organization