Towards a self-reliant IndiaWhen the dark cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic engulfed India, it was the clarion call made by the country’s leader to achieve self-reliance that not just infused hope and positivity among the citizens but also sowed the seeds of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations that has now reached all the nooks and corners of India. A country of more than a billion people, India is probably the only nation that managed the Covid crisis successfully in an unprecedented manner. Despite the huge population, shrinking healthcare personnel and the lockdown that lasted months, India not just emerged triumphant but also paved the way for self-reliance like never before.
In May 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the special economic and comprehensive package of Rs. 20 lakh crores, equivalent to ten per cent of the country’s GDP, to fight Covid-19 pandemic in India which was at its peak at the time. He also announced that now India should move towards being self-reliant in every way possible and initiated the Aatmanirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India Movement. It was PM Modi’s timely call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the push for ‘Vocal for Local’ that ensured livelihood and supplies for Indians throughout the lockdown. The five primary pillars of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat include Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand.
India being Aatmanirbhar
In today’s India, becoming self-reliant is not about becoming a self-centred system. In India’s self-reliance, there is a concern for the entire world’s happiness, cooperation and peace. During one of the worst crisis to have hit India, in 2020 when the economic package was announced, its reach and future implications were not fully understood by everyone at the time.Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav that celebrates 75 years of India’s independence is only the beginning of India asserting its self- reliance.
The package was announced under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ to aid our country out of the Coronavirus crisis, college or while he tries to save her from a bunch of road-side Romeos. After falling in love, the couple breaks into a dance on couple breaks into a dancaby making India self-reliant, not just for the time being to address the needs created by the pandemic but in the near and far future as well. Policy reform initiatives were undertaken based on this call made by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman who announced several initiatives and steps to implement the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in India.
The Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs had immediately started implementation of the announcementsrelated to the Economic Package under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. In addition to that, regular reviews and monitoring of the implementation of the economic package was overseen by the Finance Minister personally and at regular intervals.
The Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs had immediately started implementation of the announcements related to the Economic Package under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. In addition to that, regular reviews and monitoring of the implementation of the economic package was overseen by the Finance Minister personally and at regular intervals.
As part of the package, a major relief was given to the backbone of Indian economy – the local MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). A big relief was also given to the contractors when the Finance Minister announced that all central agencies like Railways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and CPWD will give extension of upto six months for completion of contractual obligations, including in respect of EPC and concession agreements.
Additionally, the Finance Minister had announced the Centre’s decision to increase borrowing limits of States from three per cent to five per cent, for 2020-21 that gave the States extra resources of ₹ 4.28 lakh crore.
Historic steps for self-reliance
Soon enough, India realised the importance of being ‘Vocal for Local’ especially after the Covid-19 public health crisis that devastated many countries in the ‘developed’ world. When the novel Coronavirus was wreaking havoc in nations the world over, India resolved to self- reliance and pledged to be ‘Vocal for Local’. Prime Minister Modi said, “This dream is turning into a pledge. Aatmanirbhar Bharat has become a ‘mantra’ for the 130 crore Indians today. I am confident of the abilities, confidence and potential of my fellow Indians. Once we decide to do something, we do not rest until we achieve that goal.”
Azad and Aatmanirbhar Bharat
In March 2021, as part of Aatmanirbhar initiative of the central government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Aatmanirbhar Incubator’ – an initiative to train artisans, especially in the cotton value chain. An initiative for economic empowerment, the AatmaNirbhar Incubator is aimed at supporting artisans facing extinction due to lack of market linkage and funds. The unique initiative is expected to benefit nearly 40,000 families in the cotton value chain in the Indian states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.
To promote the idea of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India along with Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust launched this unique support and incubation scheme aimed at India’s traditional connection with the natural world. The partnership initiative will aim ‘to preserve the indigenous skill of India that suffered during pre-Independence days.’
PM Modi interacting with India`s youth
Just like Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, this initiative has been pledged as a true contribution to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and recognition of India’s rich indigenous knowledge. The idea is to turn this initiative into a public movement i.e. a ‘Jan Aandolan’ – similar to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav. The artisans will also be provided mentorship and support through industry interface.
Drawing from the past
Before India became independent, salt was the symbol of the people’s self-reliance. At that time, the British had damaged values of self-reliance and the people of India had to depend on the salt imported from England. It was only after Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement, that immediately caught the attention and participation of the entire nation, that India united as one to fight the colonial rulers. Today, Indians have come together, one more time, through the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, to be part of the 75 years of the Satyagraha movement and the Dandi March.
At the launch of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel led the first 75 km of the padyatra (foot march) with 81 social workers (padyatris) from different states. He completed the 75 km Dandi Yatra at the town of Nadiad in Gujarat. Thousands of people joined the march and many dignitaries including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had participated. The padyatris completed a 386 km long route from Sabarmati to Dandi.
With the beginning of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister again stressed the need of ‘Vocal for Local’. He inaugurated a charkha (spinning wheel) near Magan Niwas at Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad, Gujarat which is connected with technology and social media. So, whenever a local product would be bought by someone, a picture of it would be shared on social media platforms using the ‘VocalForLocal’ portal. So with the spinning wheel, India’s commitment to self-reliance or Aatmanirbharta would be established, every time.