The robust economic progress and the awakening of Swadeshi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort had announced a significant reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates. Accordingly, the reduction in GST rates has been implemented from September 22. Meanwhile, the campaign ‘Garv se kaho yeh swadeshi hain’ has also been launched across the country with great enthusiasm. The decision to reduce GST rates was implemented against the backdrop of the U.S. making attempts to pressurize the Modi government through decisions such as increased import duties on Indian goods and hike in H-1B visa fees.

The call for Swadeshi has also begun to complement this decision of reducing the rates. A few days back, U S President Donald Trump showed his mentality by stating that the Indian economy is dead. The Trump administration had demanded that the Indian agricultural sector be fully opened to American agricultural products. The Modi government by calmly rejecting this demand made it clear that it will not bend down to any pressure tactics from the Trump administration under any circumstances.

Even after the Trump administration used insulting language about India, the Modi government responded with a firm action instead of replying in the same language. Many self-proclaimed economists in the country had expressed fears that India’s exports would be severely affected due to the U.S. doubling import duties on Indian goods. While the U.S. pressure tactics were getting tougher on one hand, the Modi government made significant changes to the Goods and Services Tax.

The Modi government, by announcing that the Goods and Services Tax would have only two slabs of 5% and 18%, began implementing a decision that would be revolutionary in the history of the country’s economy. The significant reduction in GST on items such as cars, two-wheelers, tractors, agricultural tools like tillers and fertilizers has provided great relief to the common Indian people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared another piece of good news after reducing the GST significantly. Today the country is celebrating the GST Bachat Utsav. Mr. Modi has also signalled further reductions in Goods and Services Tax in the future by stating, “I want to tell you that we will not stop here”.

New records were set in the four-wheeler market on September 22, the very first day of the implementation of GST rate cuts. Maruti Suzuki sold 30,000 cars on that day. Hyundai sold 11,000 cars, whereas Tata Motors sold 10,000 cars in a single day. While the implementation of GST rate cuts was underway, the sale of the iPhone 17, made in India, had begun on September 19. Long queues of customers waiting to buy the phone were seen in several cities along with Mumbai. People are queuing up to buy an expensive phone like the iPhone 17, in India, the very economy that was mocked by the Trump administration. This picture is not limited to the sale of cars and expensive mobiles. The entire world could see the rising purchasing power of the common Indian citizen and the strength of India’s robust economy through this.

The Modi government has launched the campaign ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar Ghar Swadeshi’ with the determination to make Aatmanirbhar Bharat a reality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been consistently appealing to people over the past few days to buy goods made in India. Purchasing goods made by Indian manufacturers and artisans will give a strong boost to the Indian economy. Many goods and products made abroad have become an integral part of the daily lives of ordinary Indians. To change this situation, if people start insisting on using products made by Indian manufacturers and local artisans, the country’s Gross National Product can increase significantly.

With this objective, the Modi government has insisted on increasing domestic production over the past 11 years. Khadi, promoted by Mahatma Gandhi, remained neglected during Congress’ many years in power. The Modi government made determined efforts in various ways to increase the sale of Khadi. These efforts have paid off well. Khadi and Village Industries did a record business of Rs 1 lakh 70 thousand crores in the financial year 2024-2025.

There is a record-breaking sale of Khadi clothes. The Modi government has special emphasis on Small and cottage industries. Small and cottage industries in the country will have to play an important role in achieving the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat and the Modi government has formulated policies accordingly.

As a result of several visionary decisions taken by the Modi government during the last 11 years, exports of defence products have started. India, which depends on other countries for semiconductor chips, will now manufacture these chips domestically. 10 semiconductor factories have been given approval under the India Semiconductor Mission. It is clearly evident from India’s growth rate that the visionary decisions of the Modi government are yielding success. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that India’s growth rate will be between 6.4 and 6.5 percent in the year 2025-2026.

India’s growth rate was 7.8 percent in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-2026. India is being seen as the fastest-growing economy in the world. The Indian economy is making dynamic progress amidst civil wars and regime changes in neighbouring countries, the Russia-Ukraine war and the pressure tactics started by the Trump administration. Despite constant attempts to hinder this progress, the Indian economy is confidently progressing towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world.

 

(Article Pre-Published in Times of India Online – 29 September, 2025) 

Keshav Upadhye, Chief Spokesperson