Marching towards Self-Reliance with the Clarion Call of Swadeshi

 

The question of why the Swadeshi movement — which was an integral part of India’s freedom struggle — lost its vigor after independence is an important one. The policy adopted by the Congress government that came to power thereafter regarding Swadeshi is well known. In today’s new context, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi revived the call for Swadeshi, it created a wave of renewed enthusiasm across the country. From countering the United States’ export tariff policies to increasing demand for Indian-made goods, this initiative has truly achieved its intended purpose.

The Swadeshi movement, launched on 7th August 1905 by Indian citizens to protest against the unjust partition of Bengal imposed by British Viceroy Lord Curzon, was among the most successful agitations against British rule. Yet, it is worth pondering why the governments that came to power after independence failed to recognize the significance of Swadeshi — the very spirit that preserved India’s identity.

Those governments forgot that the nation still needed the ideals of that century-old movement. During the Congress regime, the gates of the Indian market remained wide open for foreign goods, often brought in through smuggling, while Indian products were relegated to second place. As a result, domestic producers gradually lost confidence and competitiveness.

The Modi government, however, has breathed new life into the fading spirit of Swadeshi. Against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive export tariff policies, Prime Minister Modi’s clarion call for Swadeshi at a public rally in Varanasi in August was both timely and powerful. When Trump called the Indian and Russian economies “dead economies”, Modi responded fearlessly, showing no concern or hesitation over export tariffs. This instilled confidence among Indians that, by embracing the philosophy of Swadeshi, we can stand strong even against superpowers like the United States.

Highlighting the importance of Swadeshi amid global instability, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s farmers, small industries, and youth employment are of utmost importance. He urged citizens, political parties, and business communities to champion the causes of “Vocal for Local” and “Make in India”. He appealed to people to buy only those products that carry the sweat and labour of Indians — and urged traders to sell only indigenous goods. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, he focused on promoting self-reliance and purchasing Indian-made products.

The mantra of Swadeshi and the call for Atmanirbhart Bharat (self-reliance) are destined to propel India toward becoming a global superpower. The results of this vision have already begun to appear. This year’s Diwali saw record sales of Swadeshi goods. Market data shows that Indian consumers chose ‘Made in India’ products over Chinese ones.

According to a report by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Swadeshi goods worth Rs 5.40 lakh crore were sold during Diwali, with an additional Rs 6,500 crore generated from services. This remarkable business performance not only demonstrates India’s economic strength but also reflects the growing Swadeshi sentiment among citizens. Notably, it marks the highest business turnover during a festive season in India’s commercial history, based on an extensive nationwide survey covering capital cities and 60 major distribution centers across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

The transformation brought about by the Modi government’s Swadeshi awakening is evident in the response of both consumers and entrepreneurs. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was truly a “Swadeshi Diwali.” About 78% of consumers preferred Indian-made goods over foreign ones, leading to a significant drop in the demand for Chinese products. This trend is expected not only to continue but to strengthen further in the coming days.

The Swadeshi movement’s influence extends far beyond the marketplace — its scope is vast. In the defence sector too, the use of indigenous technology is rapidly increasing under the policies led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Department of Defence Production. This includes indigenous advancements in missiles, aircraft, electronic warfare systems, radars, and other critical equipment, supported by initiatives such as the Technology Development Fund.

DRDO has successfully developed several indigenous products such as the Agni and Prithvi missile series, Astra missile, LCA Tejas aircraft, BrahMos missile, and the Mareech torpedo defence system. Focusing on developing and producing indigenous technology not only strengthens national capability but also reduces dependency on foreign technology. In line with this, even government email systems are being migrated to Zoho, an Indian domain — a positive step towards technological self-reliance.

Likewise,Arattai, developed by Indian tech company Zoho, has become a viral sensation in the country. This shows growing confidence in homegrown innovation.

The Swadeshi-inspired transformations across sectors are taking the confidence of Indians to new heights. These collective efforts to make India the world’s third-largest superpower are both inspiring and energizing — igniting the flame of Swadeshi in every citizen once again.

 

(Article Pre-Published in Times of India Online – 27 October, 2025) 

Keshav Upadhye, Chief Spokesperson