PM Modi steps up 'vocal for local' pitch on Dhanteras as Indians set to splurge Rs 50,000 crore in a day

On the occasion of Dhanteras, Prime Minister has made another pitch for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said: "Let’s make this Diwali about the hard work of 140 crore Indians. It is due to the creativity and relentless spirit of entrepreneurs that we can be #VocalForLocal and further India’s progress. May this festival herald an Aatmanirbhar Bharat!" PM Modi said in a tweet.

Celebrated two days before Diwali, Dhanteras is a major buying occasion for Indians and according to the estimates of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) the trade volume is estimated at Rs 50,000 crore. Households mostly buy items such as gold and silver jewellery, utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, clothing and electronics on the occasion of Dhanteras.

The prime minister was responding to Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's support for vocal for local mission. PM Modi earlier this week urged people to buy products which have been made locally and then post a selfie with the product or its maker on the NaMo App.


In a post on X, Modi said, "This Diwali, let us celebrate India's entrepreneurial and creative spirit with #VocalForLocal threads on NaMo app.

"Buy products which have been made locally and then post a selfie with the product or the maker on the NaMo App. Invite your friends and family to join your thread and spread the spirit of positivity," Modi said.

"Let us use the power of digital media to support local talent, encourage the creativity of fellow Indians and keep our traditions thriving," he said.



In his remarks during October's 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi had reiterated his strong pitch for being 'vocal for local'
"Like every time, this time too, during festivals, our priority should be 'Vocal for Local'," he had said. "I want to reiterate my request that wherever you go on tourism or pilgrimage, buy products made by local artisans," Modi had said.

In September, PM Modi had launched 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme to provide traditional craftsmen and artisans loan assistance at a minimal interest rate without the need for collateral. With a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years, the scheme will benefit about 30 lakh families of traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths and blacksmiths.

Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general for Confederation of All India Traders, through a social media post called on the people to patronise the various Women entrepreneurs.

The resonance of the 'Vocal for Local' movement is already evident, with consumers exhibiting a strong preference for products made in India, according to news agency ANI. China is expected to incur a substantial loss of around Rs 1 lakh crore in Diwali-related business, it reported. (With Agency Inputs)