Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat: Bold triumphs and challenges 2025
Introduction – What is ‘Swadeshi and ‘Swadeshi Movement’
Swadeshi is a philosophy and movement that promotes the use of goods manufactured in one’s own country, fostering self-sufficiency and economic independence. The Swadeshi movement was a self-sufficiency movement that was part of the Indian independence movement and contributed to the development of Indian nationalism. The Swadeshi movement started in India on August 7, 1905. It was formally launched from Calcutta’s Town Hall to increase indigenous production and reduce the import of products. Mahatma Gandhi referred to it as the soul of swaraj. This is located in the state of Bengal. In conjunction with the Swadeshi movement, a boycott movement was also launched. Using locally produced goods and burning British products are reportedly part of the movements.
Following the British Government’s division of Bengal, the Swadeshi and Boycott movement was pushed by the renowned Indian fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. During the freedom struggle, the humble spinning wheel championed by Gandhi became a symbol of India’s pursuit of swadeshi, which encapsulated the economic and political aims of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and indigenisation.
The historian Christopher A Bayly identified the earliest manifestations of swadeshi in the conservative backlash to early 19th-century Christian missionary activity and Hindu reform movements.His biographers called him the “harbinger of swadeshi”.
WHY SWADESHI NOW
Swadeshi has remained one of the most significant and enduring concepts in Indian political thought. First emerging in the early 19th century, it later became a powerful tool of the freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. After the economic liberalization of the 1990s, the idea was revived and promoted by the RSS. Today, with India confronting geopolitical tensions with China and facing steep tariffs — such as the 50% duty imposed by Donald Trump’s administration — the principle of swadeshi has once again gained prominence, reflected strongly in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and policy initiatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the image of Mahatma Gandhi and his charkha to urge Indians to be “vocal for local”. “To make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of charkhadhari Gandhi ji. Let us be vocal for local, let us trust and buy products made in India,” he said. For close to two centuries, self-sufficiency has been a powerful and consistent theme in India’s public life. This long-held value is being revived today through the Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. To tackle modern challenges, the Prime Minister often draws on the ‘swadeshi‘ philosophy, advocating for homegrown solutions and greater economic autonomy. So, simply in the Indian context, Swadeshi is a term that most people instinctively understand, yet it has meant different things to different people at different times,” Nitin Pai, director of The Takshashila Institution, wrote in his 2021 paper ‘A Brief Economic History of Swadeshi’.
PM MODI’s APPEAL: KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to adopt Swadeshi and prioritise Made in India products, as the newly approved Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms come into effect from September 22, the first day of ‘Shardiya Navaratri’.
- In a speech where he dubbed the GST reforms a “Bachat Utsav” (Festival of Savings), Prime Minister Modi passionately encouraged Indians to support domestic manufacturing. He urged citizens to buy products made locally, stressing that doing so honors the hard work and “sweat” invested by the country’s sons and daughters.
- The Prime Minister said the GST reforms reflect the Union Government’s “Nagrik Devo Bhava” mantra and will result in substantial savings for the public. The Prime Minister elaborated on why he termed the reforms a “savings festival.” He explained that the next-generation GST reforms, when considered alongside new income tax exemptions, would deliver significant financial relief to the public. He calculated that policy decisions from a single year would result in collective savings of more than ₹2.5 lakh crore for the people of the country, justifying the celebratory description.
- Highlighting self-reliance as key to building a developed India, PM Modi said that lowering GST rates will directly support MSMEs and small businesses. He stressed that products needed by Indians should be made within the country and that simpler rules and reduced taxes will strengthen MSMEs, small industries, and cottage enterprises.
The reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure approved during the 56th meeting of the GST Council earlier this month is set to come into effect from September 22. Making our country Swadeshi and Atamnirbhar Bharat.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR INDIA
- More employment in the country: It will be a better way to increase employment and jobs if Indians promote Swadeshi products or Indian brands. Every country’s citizens desire to use their own country’s products. The more we buy swadeshi items, the more valuable our enterprises become, and as a result, foreigners will begin to buy them as well.
- Economic Development: When you buy products from a foreign company while living in your own country, your government earns some revenue through taxes — but most of the profit flows back to the company’s home country, boosting their GDP rather than yours. For instance, purchasing a phone from a Chinese brand may generate around 18% GST for the Indian government, but the bulk of the earnings still go overseas. In contrast, buying from an Indian manufacturer ensures that a larger share of the money stays within the country, benefiting local businesses, workers, and ultimately contributing to India’s economic growth.
- Feeling of Patriotism: It builds a strong sense of patriotism and happiness when using an Indian product. Furthermore, by purchasing Swadeshi products, you support the people who labour tirelessly and passionately to create the handcrafted items.
CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS
- Global Supply Chain Integration: We can make our own products, but for products like modern electronics and vehicles rely on global supply chains, making true isolation and a complete “Made in India” product difficult to achieve.
- Quality and Branding: Indian companies often face challenges in matching consumer expectations for premium, branded goods — a space long dominated by foreign players — making it difficult for emerging local brands to earn customer trust.
- Competition and Innovation: Over-reliance on the protectionism of Swadeshi can lead to stifling innovation and competition, which could potentially it will hinder India’s goal of becoming a leading global economy.
- Focus on Community vs. State-Led Initiatives: Emphasis on Community vs. Government Programs: While the early Swadeshi movement encouraged locally driven, community-centered efforts, today’s economic growth strategies largely rely on government-led, large-scale projects, which can sometimes overshadow grassroots participation and empowerment.
CONCLUSION: WILL INDIA GO MORE ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
India’s journey toward Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat is more than an economic reform-it’s the rebirth of culture and strategic need. True self-reliance does not mean shutting the door to global trade but building the capacity to stand strong even in uncertain times. By empowering MSMEs, improving product quality, and encouraging innovation, India can turn Swadeshi from a slogan into a sustainable growth model. The path ahead is challenging, but with citizen participation, policy support, and a spirit of innovation, India can transform into a nation that produces for itself — and the world — with pride and confidence.
-Sarika Rai
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