Kohima: Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Monday launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, a 90-day flagship campaign inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for self-reliance and promotion of indigenous products.
The programme, initiated by the BJP Nagaland unit, aims to rekindle the spirit of Swadeshi and encourage citizens to embrace locally made goods.
Speaking at the launch event at the BJP headquarters in Kohima, Patton said the essence of the campaign lies in “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi,” urging every household to adopt local products, uphold India’s cultural ethos, and strengthen the national economy.
He noted that the Swadeshi movement, deeply rooted in India’s independence struggle under leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, Aurobindo, and Mahatma Gandhi, had initially focused on khadi and local goods. Today, it has transformed into a modern mission that extends to advanced technology, defence production, semiconductors, Indian languages, and world-class crafts.
Tracing the journey of the Swadeshi ideology, Patton recalled how post-independence policies tilted towards a Western development model that weakened local industries. However, in 1964, Dattopant Thengadi revived the philosophy by stressing economic self-reliance, which later inspired the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of 1991 and their revival under Prime Minister Modi through programmes like Make in India, Startup India, and Vocal for Local.
Patton highlighted that the campaign is built on three pillars—Swadeshi (local goods), Swabhasha (Indian languages and knowledge), and Swabhusha (heritage and aesthetics)—which together underpin the vision of Viksit Bharat.
As part of the 90-day campaign, activities will include Swadeshi quizzes, essay competitions, college seminars, conferences for traders and professionals, and Swadeshi fairs. Calling the campaign “an expression of love for the motherland,” Patton urged citizens to spread the Swadeshi resolve to “every village, every lane, every home.”
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