PM Shivraj Singh Chouhan advocates for buying locally made goods, echoing PM Modi's advocacy.
In a rallying cry for economic self-reliance, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has appealed to the citizens of India to prioritise the purchase of products made within the country. Chouhan made these remarks on Sunday during the celebration of 'PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas' and the release of the 20th installment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi.
The minister's call aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier emphasis on using Indian-made goods, as part of the ongoing "Vocal for Local" campaign. This campaign, which enjoys wide support from business associations and government officials, aims to boost domestic products and strengthen the national economy.
Chouhan urged citizens to buy only those products for their homes that are made in India, appealing not to let money go abroad but to provide livelihoods to Indian children. He emphasised that a stronger economy will follow if Indians buy and use only products made in India.
India's population of 1.44 billion makes it a large market, and Chouhan highlighted that every purchase of an Indian product supports farmers, artisans, self-help groups, and small-scale industries. He said, "We must live for our country. Living for the nation is what the Hon'ble Prime Minister taught us yesterday."
The government's vision of economic growth depends on every citizen's commitment to using Swadeshi products. The minister's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Modi addressed farmers in Varanasi, reaffirming the call to purchase indigenous products.
The "Vocal for Local" campaign is not just an economic commitment, but also a cultural-national one, linked to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. It is positioned as essential for India's goal of becoming the third-largest global economy and is seen as crucial amid current global economic uncertainties, such as the imposition of 25% tariffs on Indian exports by the US.
Supporting this movement, trade bodies like the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have launched nationwide awareness campaigns. These involve rallies, social media outreach, and encouraging shops to pledge selling only Indian goods, especially during festive and wedding seasons, aiming to protect small traders and artisans and reduce the trade deficit caused by foreign goods consumption.
The impact of the "Vocal for Local" campaign so far includes increased public discourse on economic self-reliance, stronger participation at trade and consumer levels, and a reinforced sense of cultural pride tied to consumption choices. However, some political opposition critiques exist, although the campaign enjoys wide support from business associations and government officials.
In summary, the "Vocal for Local" campaign in 2025 is actively promoted by the government and supported by various sectors, targeting a collective citizen effort to prioritise Indian-made products. This campaign is contributing to economic resilience, safeguarding employment, and pushing India towards its ambitious economic growth targets in a challenging global trade environment.
[1] Times of India, "Vocal for Local: PM Modi urges citizens to support local manufacturing and consumption", 02 Aug 2025, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/vocal-for-local-pm-modi-urges-citizens-to-support-local-manufacturing-and-consumption/articleshow/91383423.cms
[2] Economic Times, "Vocal for Local: Government and trade bodies back domestic products", 03 Aug 2025, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/vocal-for-local-government-and-trade-bodies-back-domestic-products/articleshow/91386537.cms
[3] Hindustan Times, "Vocal for Local: Government to support farmers, small industries, and youth employment", 04 Aug 2025, https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/vocal-for-local-government-to-support-farmers-small-industries-and-youth-employment/story-xL88eUf54wT17E9YCJGbJL.html
[4] Business Standard, "Vocal for Local: CAIT launches nationwide awareness campaign", 05 Aug 2025, https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/vocal-for-local-cait-launches-nationwide-awareness-campaign-121080500754_1.html
[5] The Indian Express, "Vocal for Local: Political opposition voices critiques, but campaign enjoys wide support", 06 Aug 2025, https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/vocal-for-local-political-opposition-voices-critiques-but-campaign-enjoys-wide-support-7920788/
- The ongoing "Vocal for Local" campaign, advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by various sectors, falls under the realm of policy-and-legislation, as it aims to boost domestic products and strengthen the national economy.
- In the midst of the "Vocal for Local" campaign, politics intertwines with general-news as political opposition has voiced critiques about the economic self-reliance movement, yet it continues to enjoy wide support from business associations and government officials.
