Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 28 said the country must resolve to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ (selfreliant), and a path to this is through Swadeshi. He stressed making ‘Vocal for Local’ a “shopping mantra”.
Addressing the 126th episode of his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi said, “In the coming days, festivals and joys are coming up, one after another. We do a lot of shopping on every occasion. And this time, a ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ is also going on. You can make your festivals even more special by taking a resolution. If we decide to celebrate this festival only with Swadeshi products, you will see the joy of our celebrations rise manifold.”
Stressing the citizens to make ‘Vocal for Local’ their “shopping mantra”, he said, “Make a resolve that for all times, you will buy only what is produced in the country. You will take home only what is made by the people of the country. You will use only those goods which bear the toil of a citizen of the country. When we do that, we don’t just buy goods; we bring home hope to a family, honour the hard work of an artisan, and give wings to the dreams of a young entrepreneur.”
PM Modi also highlighted the importance of maintaining cleanliness during the festive season.
“During festivals, we all engage in cleaning our homes. But cleanliness shouldn’t be limited to the four walls of our homes. Cleanliness should become our responsibility everywhere — in the streets, neighbourhoods, markets, and villages,” he said.
He also said that India is actively working to include Chhath Puja in Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. He emphasised that Chhath Puja is not just a ritual but a vibrant expression of ecological harmony, devotion, and community participation.
‘Must resolve to become Atmanirbhar through Swadeshi’
Chhath Puja, predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, honours the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. The announcement follows the successful inclusion of Durga Puja in Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021, which brought global recognition to Bengal’s iconic celebration.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that Chhath Puja would similarly gain international acknowledgement, showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity and spiritual depth. Efforts are underway by the Ministry of Culture and other stakeholders to prepare the nomination dossier for Unesco, which involves documenting the festival’s history, practices, and community involvement. PM Modi also hailed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its century-long commitment to national service.