PM Modi's Swadeshi Pitch: Buy Local, Boost Domestic Manufacturing For Self-Reliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to take pride in purchasing and selling “Swadeshi” products, noting that India’s prosperity depends on the strength of self-reliance.

During his address to the nation on the eve of the Navratri festival, PM Modi affirmed that achieving the goal of a developed India requires adopting self-reliance and promoting Made-in-India products.

“To achieve the goal of a developed India, we must walk the path of self-reliance, and our MSMEs bear a significant responsibility in making India self-reliant,” he said.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “To reach the goal of a developed India, we must walk on the path of self-reliance, and a very big responsibility to make India self-reliant also lies

on our MSMEs. What is needed by the people of the country, what we can make in our… pic.twitter.com/3GweX4OgXX

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2025

Boost Domestic Manufacturing

The Prime Minister further urged the people to focus on manufacturing those goods in India which can be made domestically.

“What the people of the country need… what we can make in the country itself… that we should make in the country,” PM Modi said.

“Just as the mantra of self-reliance strengthened the country’s independence, similarly, the prosperity of the country will also gain strength from the mantra of self-reliance,” he added.

While urging people to embrace Swadeshi, PM Modi highlighted the need to reduce dependence on foreign goods.

“Today, knowingly or unknowingly, many foreign products have become a part of our everyday lives,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of supporting local industries, he added, “We should buy products that are Made in India, in which the hard work of our country’s youth is invested. We need to make every home a symbol of Swadeshi and adorn every shop with Swadeshi.”

GST Bachat Utsav

In his address to the nation, PM Modi also touched on the next-generation GST reforms, which are set to roll out effective September 22, the first day of the Navratri festival.

Describing the reform as the start of a “Bachat Utsav” or festival of savings, PM Modi said the changes would ease the financial load on households while also making India more attractive for investors and entrepreneurs, with every state contributing equally to the nation’s development journey.

“From tomorrow, the nation will celebrate the GST Bachat Utsav. Your savings will grow, and you will have greater freedom to purchase the things you love. This reform will bring benefits to every section of society,” the Prime Minister said in his address.

The centrepiece of the reform is a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax framework.

Earlier this month, the GST Council approved a simplified two-slab system of 5% and 18%, which will come into force on September 22.

Under the new structure, almost all items that were previously taxed at 12% will shift to the 5% bracket, while a large majority of products earlier placed in the 28% category will now attract 18% GST.

However, a 40% levy will continue to apply on luxury and sin goods through the compensation cess.