New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged people to shut foreign products and choose “vocal for local” to achieve the goal of a self-reliant India. Addressing the inaugural session of the Jain International Trade Organisation’s JITO Connect 2022 via video conferencing, he urged people to give preference to Indian products over those made in other countries and to gradually replace foreign products with Indian products. “I urge you to do a simple exercise with the entire family. Make a list of common household items first. Then see how many of them are made in other countries, tick mark such items. Just see how many of them can be replaced by India made items,” the Prime Minister said. He said the people have unknowingly become slaves of the products of other countries at a time when they are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava. “Did you ever think how we became mental slaves…? How we became slaves of foreign products? This is how East India company entered this country.” “That is why, I time and again talk about ‘vocal for local’. This will provide jobs to our countrymen, they will get the opportunity,” he said. “The world will feel proud about our products only when we feel proud about them.” Touching upon his recent three-nation Europe tour, the Prime Minister said that everyone feels that India was now going beyond probability and potential and performing with a larger purpose of global welfare. “Be it global peace, global prosperity, solutions of global challenges, or the empowerment of the global supply chain, the world is looking at India with confidence.” The Prime Minister said that ever since the government e-Marketplace portal came into existence, people from far-flung villages, small shopkeepers and self-help groups can sell their product directly to the government. Today more than 40 lakh sellers have joined gem portal, he said, adding that the processes of the government have become transparent. “Aatmnirbhar Bharat is our path as well as our resolve.” JITO Connect 2022 is a three-day event being organized at Gangadham Annex, Pune. It is an endeavour to help business and industry by providing an avenue for mutual networking and personal interactions. JITO is a global organisation connecting Jains worldwide. UNI ASU MR
