 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an Indian community event, in New York, USA, September 22, 2024. File Photo/PTI")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy, is celebrating his 75th birthday on Wednesday (September 17). It is again working day for the PM, who will inaugurate a mega textile park in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar today.
Since first coming to power at the Centre in 2014, PM Modi has become a champion of the “swadeshi” campaign. From ‘Make in India’ push to taking yoga to the global stage, he has popularised India’s culture worldwide.
As he turns a year older, we take a look at PM Modi’s efforts at making ‘vocal for local’ the heart of his government.
Make in India push
PM Modi has been vocal about making India self-reliant in different sectors, including defence and space.
For this, the government has rolled out production linked incentive (PLI) schemes for 14 sectors, eased foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, reduced compliance burden to improve business climate and launched the national logistics policy.
His Make in India initiative has given an impetus to the manufacturing sector, which saw a 16-month high of 59.1 in July this year, as per a monthly survey.
As the country takes steps to become ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, India’s defence exports touched a record high of Rs 23,622 crore in the last financial year 2024-25. This is a 12.04 per cent growth compared to the previous fiscal year’s figure of Rs 21,083 crore.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), India exports to around 80 countries. It is also targeting to increase defence shipments to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.
Last year, PM Modi took to X to highlight that Make in India has spurred growth in exports in various sectors, built capacities and bolstered the economy.
“It’s noteworthy how exports have risen in various sectors, capacities have been built, and thus, the economy has been strengthened. The Government of India is committed to encouraging ‘Make in India’ through all possible ways. India’s strides in reforms will also continue,” he wrote at the time.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, Modi announced that the first made-in-India semiconductor chip will be launched in the market by the end of this year.
“We have decided to make India self-reliant in energy, taking several initiatives in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear sectors,” he added. PM Modi said that India’s nuclear energy will increase by “ten times” in 2047, adding that private companies will now be allowed in the sector.
As India faces 50 per cent tariffs from the United States, Modi has urged traders and shopkeepers to sell only swadeshi goods amid “global uncertainty”.
The Indian leader said in August, “At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made-in-India goods will be the truest service to the country.”
Promoting Hindi, other Indian languages
PM Modi, who was born in Vadnagar of Gujarat’s Mehsana district, has been a big advocate of the Hindi language. He addresses most of his rallies in Hindi and even speaks the language on his trips abroad.
While India does not have a “national language”, Hindi and English are among the country’s 22 official languages.
Not just Hindi, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pushed for promoting all native Indian languages to reduce reliance on English.
In July, Union Home Minister Amit Shah exhorted people to speak their mother tongue with pride. “I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian,” he said.
In a post on X on the occasion of “Hindi Diwas” on September 14, PM Modi said: “Hindi is not merely a medium of communication, but a vibrant heritage of our identity and values.”
Underlining the importance of the Hindi language and culture, he said it is a vital part of India’s heritage.
The prime minister highlighted the rise in global recognition of Hindi, describing it as a matter of pride for all Indians. “The growing respect for Hindi on the global stage is a matter of pride and inspiration for all of us,” he wrote.
Yoga goes global
PM Modi deserves credit for turning yoga into a global phenomenon. He had proposed celebrating yoga during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
“Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature,” he said at the time.
His proposal was accepted by the United Nations, with June 21 being observed as the International Yoga Day since 2015.
Every year, Modi leads the nation in rolling out the mat to perform the ancient Indian practice. It would not be wrong to say that the Indian leader has emerged as the greatest ambassador of yoga.
Modi’s fashion statement
PM Modi is a true desi at heart. This has been evident in his choice of attire. Be it in the country or abroad, the leader dons Indian attire with pride.
Known for his style, ‘Modi fashion’ has become a trend. From colourful pagari (turbans) to churidars, the PM loves to display his love for Indian clothes.
Depending on the occasion and the state he visits, Modi blends local cultures into his wardrobe. Even the choice of colour in his clothes speaks volumes.
“He has made his own style statement because of the colours he wears, and he is most specific about it. On occasions like Republic Day and Independence Day, he always tries to wear the tricolour turban with a long cloth tail. That makes the country visible worldwide, and he tries to carry the Indian culture the best,” fashion designer Amit Behki, founder of Creative Stop, told Sputnik in 2023.
PM Modi’s long white kurta, paired with bandi jackets and white churidar pyjamas, makes him fashionable.
His push for ‘Make in India’ and a ‘self-reliant India’ has given a boost to khadi and silk fabrics. The demand for khadi kurtas, along with silk bandi jackets, or achkan, has increased. Modi has donned khadi kurtas even during his overseas visits.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in 2023 that PM Modi has linked swadeshi and employment in the call of ‘vocal for local’. He praised the Indian leader for reviving the
dying Khadi movement”.
Rise of ‘Bharat’
The Modi government has been a proponent of using the name ‘ Bharat ’ for the country.
Article 1 of the Constitution reads: “India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states.” Besides India and Bharat, Hindustan is also used to refer to the nation.
While talking about making India a developed country, the PM lays out a roadmap for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
In 2023, when India hosted the Group of 20 (G20) summit, dinner invitations sent to guests had ‘Bharat’ written on them.
Droupadi Murmu was referred to as “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India” in the invitation sent to G20 attendees.
There were also reports at the time that the government might bring a resolution in Parliament to replace India and retain only Bharat. However, while the usage of Bharat by the Modi government has increased, the country keeps both its names.
With inputs from agencies