Dy CM Patton Calls for Renewed Commitment to promoting India’s self-reliance

Kohima, Oct 06, 2025 (HBTV): Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton on Monday called upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to “Swadeshi”—the spirit of using locally made products and promoting India’s self-reliance.

Addressing the media, Patton said the “Atmanirbhar Bharat: Swadeshi Sankalp” is not merely a slogan but the foundation of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, a collective responsibility and an expression of love for the motherland.

 “Choosing Swadeshi means connecting with our soil, honouring the hard work of our people, and strengthening our economy,” he stated.

He recalled the contributions of Lokmanya Tilak, Aurobindo, and Mahatma Gandhi, who made Swadeshi a driving force in India’s freedom struggle, and Dattopant Thengadi, who revived the movement in 1964, emphasizing economic self-reliance as true security. Patton said this vision later shaped the Atmanirbhar Bharat movement, which is now being advanced under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Highlighting initiatives like Make in India, Startup India, Digital Infrastructure, and Vocal for Local, Patton said these have strengthened India’s progress towards a Viksit Bharat. He added that the three pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat—Swadeshi (promotion of Indian goods), Swabhasha (promotion of Indian languages and knowledge), and Swabhusha (heritage, design, and aesthetics)—are key to building a self-reliant nation.

He also said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is advancing self-reliance through defence indigenization, One District One Product (ODOP), Government e-Marketplace (GeM/ONDC), and language technologies. The Deputy CM lauded India’s digital transformation, noting that the country has become the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer and that UPI has gained global recognition for innovation.

Referring to Khadi as a proud symbol of India’s identity, Patton said schemes such as PM MITRA Parks Yojana and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for textiles are strengthening domestic industries. He also urged citizens to adopt the Panch Pran pledges—promoting social harmony, fraternity, environmental responsibility, and civic consciousness through Swadeshi values.

Appealing to every citizen to “buy Indian and build India,” Patton encouraged shops to proudly display the message “Garv se Kaho Ye Swadeshi Hai.” “When money stays within our country, it builds our roads, funds our schemes, and generates employment. This is true development,” he said.

He further informed that several programs under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan”—including Swadeshi quiz and essay competitions, trader conferences, and fairs—will be organized across the nation to spread the message of self-reliance.

Patton further called upon every household to take the Swadeshi pledge.

“Let us all embrace Swadeshi and carry the message of Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi! to every home. Together, we can make Swadeshi the foundation of a Viksit Bharat,” he added.