PM Modi urges citizens to give priority to local products in festival shopping

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the resolve about ‘vocal for local’ while shopping for festivals. He also urged the people to celebrate the festival during pandemic with restrain.

“The fervour of festivals and the glitter and sparkle of the marketplace are interconnected. But this time when you go shopping, do remember our resolve of ‘Vocal for Local’. While purchasing items from the market, we have to accord priority to local products,” Modi said in his monthly broadcast of ‘Mann Ki Baat.’

The term ‘Local for Vocal’ was coined when PM Modi unveiled the AtmaNirbhar Bharat package or Self-reliant India on May 12. He had said that every Indian has to become vocal for their local, not only to buy local products, but also to promote them proudly.

He highlighted role of Pulwama (Kashmir) in educating the entire country. "Today, when children all over the nation do their homework, or prepare notes, somewhere behind this lies the hard work of the people of Pulwama! The Kashmir Valley meets almost 90 per cent demand for the Pencil Slats, timber casings of the entire country, and of that, a very large share comes from Pulwama. Earlier, it used to be imported, but now Pulwama is making the country self-sufficient in the field of pencil making, "he said.

He mentioned one of India’s most popular local product ‘Khadi’ has remained a symbol of simplicity over a long period of time but now it is getting known as an eco-friendly fabric. In terms of health, this is a body friendly fabric, an all-weather fabric and now it has also become a fashion statement. Talking about global presence of Khadi, he specifically mentioned ‘Oaxaca Khadi’ which is being produced on Mexico.

Continuing his talk on festivals, he appealed to the people to be more cautious in celebration.  He said: “Dussehra is also a festival of victory of patience over crises. Today, all of you are Today, all of you are carrying on with immense patience, celebrating the festival with restraint….and hence, in our ongoing fight, our victory too is assured.” 

He requested people to be more cautions in celebration. “Many more festivals are on the way in the days to come. There is Eid, Sharad Poornima, Valmiki Jayanti, followed by Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhai dooj, the Pooja of Chatthi Maiyya and the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji ….. during this crisis-laden period of Corona, we have to exercise patience, observe restraint,” he said.

He called people to remember lockdown times when they got to know those close associates of society without whom their lives would have been very difficult. “Sanitisation workers, housekeepers & guards were with us in difficult times, now in festivals, we've to take them along. I earnestly urge you to ensure, in whatever way, in making them a part of your celebrations.” he said while also urged people to remember India’s brave soldiers, who are guarding borders even in these festival times. 

“We must celebrate only after remembering them. We must light a lamp for these brave sons & daughters of Mother India. The entire nation is with them,” he said.