Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday led a public campaign at Paltan Bazaar, Dehradun, urging citizens to adopt indigenous products as part of the nationwide push for Atmanirbhar Bharat. The campaign, titled “Swadeshi Apnao, Rashtra Ko Aage Badhao”, saw enthusiastic participation from local traders, shopkeepers, youth, social organizations, and members of the public.
Aligning with Prime Minister’s Call
The Chief Minister said the campaign was in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to strengthen the country by going ‘Vocal for Local’. He emphasized that using swadeshi products was not merely an economic choice but a national duty.
“When we prioritize goods made in India, we not only strengthen the country’s economy but also empower our local producers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs,” Dhami said while addressing shopkeepers and citizens in the bustling market.
Symbolic Gesture to Inspire Public Confidence
As part of the event, the Chief Minister visited various shops in Paltan Bazaar and personally placed stickers reading “Swadeshi Apnao, Rashtra Ko Majboot Banao” on storefronts. He urged all traders to display swadeshi nameplates at their establishments, saying such gestures would help build consumer trust and pride in Indian-made goods.
Dhami also appealed to citizens to choose indigenous alternatives for festivals, gifts, and everyday needs, stressing that each purchase contributed to the larger vision of self-reliant India. “When our festivals, our homes, and our daily lives are enriched with swadeshi products, it not only strengthens the economy but also reinforces our cultural identity,” he said.
Public Response and Participation
The campaign received unprecedented support from the public, with residents, business owners, and social groups pledging their commitment to promote swadeshi. The crowd raised slogans such as “Swadeshi Apnao – Desh Bachao”, echoing the call for self-reliance and national pride.
Youth groups and voluntary organizations also played an active role, distributing awareness material and encouraging citizens to take the pledge. The presence of local traders, who promised to highlight indigenous products in their businesses, added momentum to the initiative.
Wider Economic and Social Goals
The Chief Minister underscored that embracing swadeshi would keep the nation’s wealth within the country and reduce dependency on imports. He said the movement was not only about supporting the economy but also about creating sustainable employment opportunities for women, small-scale workers, and rural communities.
He reiterated that the adoption of indigenous goods directly contributed to strengthening India’s position on the global stage, making the nation more resilient in a competitive world economy.
Support from Party Leaders and Organizations
The programme was attended by Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt, along with several public representatives, business leaders, and association members. Their presence added political weight to the campaign, signaling that the movement is not limited to symbolic action but forms part of a broader economic vision.
Participants collectively resolved to continue spreading awareness about the importance of swadeshi and pledged to make it an integral part of Uttarakhand’s economic and cultural journey.
The Road Ahead
The state government is expected to expand the “Swadeshi Apnao” campaign across other districts of Uttarakhand in the coming weeks. Officials said the movement would be taken to rural areas, markets, and schools, ensuring widespread adoption of indigenous goods.
With this campaign, Chief Minister Dhami has sought to link consumer choices with national responsibility, building momentum toward Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India powered by local enterprise.
The Chief Minister said the campaign was in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to strengthen the country by going ‘Vocal for Local’. He emphasized that using swadeshi products was not merely an economic choice but a national duty.
As part of the event, the Chief Minister visited various shops in Paltan Bazaar and personally placed stickers reading “Swadeshi Apnao, Rashtra Ko Majboot Banao” on storefronts. He urged all traders to display swadeshi nameplates at their establishments, saying such gestures would help build consumer trust and pride in Indian-made goods.
The campaign received unprecedented support from the public, with residents, business owners, and social groups pledging their commitment to promote swadeshi. The crowd raised slogans such as “Swadeshi Apnao – Desh Bachao”, echoing the call for self-reliance and national pride.
The programme was attended by Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt, along with several public representatives, business leaders, and association members. Their presence added political weight to the campaign, signaling that the movement is not limited to symbolic action but forms part of a broader economic vision.
