PM Modi turns 7.8% growth cue into a fresh swadeshi pitch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed India’s 7.8% growth as a reflection of the country’s collective strength, while taking a swipe at those spreading “jhooth ki goonj" (echo of lies) and urging Indians to embrace swadeshi by cutting back on overseas travel, destination weddings and unnecessary gold purchases.

“Many congratulations to the people of the country. 7.8% growth. The country is filled with happiness. But I congratulate the people of the country for their resolve and their hard work. This is a reflection of a collective strength,” Modi said in an Instagram reel.

Modi said India had achieved the growth despite a difficult global environment, with wars, crises and disrupted supply chains affecting economies around the world.


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“The world is immersed in war. News of war is coming from all sides. The world is surrounded by crises. The supply chain is completely disturbed. From the COVID period in 2020 until now, stability has not been visible anywhere. Despite this, India is progressing at a fast pace,” he said.

PM's attack on pessimists

The Prime Minister also took a swipe at those spreading pessimism within the country.

“On the other hand, there are people within India who are drowned in the depths of despair, and the echo of lies is being used to spread pessimism all around. Crossing all these things, cutting through all these issues, the country has achieved 7.8% growth,” Modi said.

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He said the focus now should be on maintaining the growth momentum and building a self-reliant India.

“We have to maintain this pace, we have to move forward, and for this, building a self-reliant India is very important. The mantra of swadeshi, ‘Vocal for Local’,” he said.

PM Modi’s latest pitch: Spend at home

Modi urged Indians to rethink spending abroad and said the swadeshi push should extend to travel and weddings.

“If you travel abroad, you should not do so just for sightseeing. If you hold weddings abroad, you should not do so. We should live by the mantra of ‘Wedding in India’,” he said.

He also asked people to avoid buying gold unless there was a need.

“If there is no need, then one should not even buy gold. The more we emphasise swadeshi, the more we emphasise self-reliance, I have firm faith that when India completes 100 years of independence, we will present a developed India to our young generation,” Modi said.

Modi said the country’s present efforts would help fulfil the aspirations of the next generation.

“We will make the dreams of our young generation a reality through our hard work today,” he said.

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The Prime Minister also called on citizens to contribute to the country’s growth.

“And therefore, my fellow citizens, let us leave no stone unturned in our hard work. Our policy is right, our intentions are clear, and the strength of 140 crore Indians is today united to take the country to new heights,” he said.

“Celebrate the happiness, make a resolve, and set out with me to fulfil that resolve,” Modi concluded.