Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made a renewed push for Swadeshi. Earlier this month, he urged every citizen to choose indigenous goods.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address on the eve of Independence Day, placed special focus on two themes — buying local and ease of doing business. She linked both to India’s economic strength and self-reliance, especially at a time when the US has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.
The President traced the roots of the ‘buy local’ movement to the Swadeshi movement of 1905 and Mahatma Gandhi’s advocacy for Khadi. She noted how these ideals now find expression in the modern Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
"Last week, on August 7, the country celebrated 'National Handloom Day' which honours our weavers and their products," she said.
"Since the year 2015, we have been celebrating this day to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched during our freedom struggle in the year 1905. The spirit of Swadeshi was strengthened by Mahatma Gandhi to promote the products made by the sweat and toil of Indian artisans and craftspeople, and by their incomparable skills. The idea of Swadeshi has been inspiring our national endeavours like the Make-in-India initiative and the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Let us resolve to buy and use Indian products," President Murmu added.
President Murmu emphasised that improving the ease of doing business was as important as improving the ease of living. She said both directly contribute to better lives for common citizens.
"For betterment of the lives of the common people, there is equal emphasis on improving the ease of doing business as well as on improving the ease of living," she said.
"Moreover, we are increasing our self-reliance in every area possible. This has added to our self-confidence and increased the momentum of our journey towards becoming Viksit Bharat," she added.
Her remarks come amid growing concern that the jewellery, handicraft, and textile industries could suffer due to rising US tariffs. Business leaders, including Anand Mahindra, have called for radical improvements in ease of doing business to attract global investors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made a renewed push for Swadeshi. Earlier this month, he urged every citizen to choose indigenous goods.
"Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves - has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is Swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of 'Vocal for Local'," PM Modi said.
Traders' associations have pledged full support to this call, seeing it as a step towards economic resilience.
President Murmu also cited Operation Sindor as a milestone in defence self-reliance.
"The outcome has proved that we are on the right path. Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements. These are landmark achievements in India's defence history since Independence," she said.
