New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to Indians to celebrate the festive season by embracing 'Swadeshi' products, highlighting national pride in local craftsmanship and innovation.
Sharing a message on Saturday evening on (Proudly say it's Swadeshi!).
He encouraged sharing purchases on social media to inspire others, fostering a groundswell of support for domestic artisans and makers.
The Prime Minister's message cited a dynamic video from MyGovIndia, featuring Bollywood stars like Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit, Tripti Dimri, Anupam Kher, Sunil Grover and Rupali Ganguly, alongside singer Shankar Mahadevan.
The two-minute video clip, set in bustling, brightly lit markets, shows families buying sweets, saris, shoes and electronics, all labeled "Made in India".
It highlights local places such as Men's Collection in Old Delhi, Mandore Bazar in Jodhpur, Lighthouse on Rajpur Road in Dehradun and Pure Education Collection at Tollygunge in Kolkata.
The viral video promotes the purchase of indigenous vehicles and home appliances like televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, smartphones and laptops, manufactured by young Indians.
It culminates with the mantra "Vocal for Local", inviting people to share selfies with products or artisans on the NaMo app, with PM Modi promising to repost certain entries.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's long-running 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) campaign, launched in 2020 amid the pandemic to boost domestic production and reduce imports.
Experts say this could boost the economy, especially during Diwali, when consumer spending increases by 20 to 30 percent, according to industry estimates.
The advance comes as India seeks to reduce its dependence on imports.
Social media was full of responses, ranging from approvals to critiques of imported luxury goods.
As festivals approach, PM Modi's call resonates, potentially sparking a 'Swadeshi' shopping spree.