<p id="content">Every trader in the country can be a brand ambassador for Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, said Praveen Khandelwal, National Secretary General, Confederation of All India Traders (Cait).</p>
Highlighting the crucial role played by retail traders in pushing the agenda of Vocal for Local, Khandelwal said: "Traders can play a major role here as India's 130 crore population have the first contact with the trader.

"For any kind of requirement, they approach a trader first. We have more than 7 crore traders and they can play a crucial role in this aspect. Every trader in the country can be a brand ambassador for Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

"This can be a great contact point for launching a vicious campaign as to why we need Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar Bharat as there are several in this country who do not know the real value of buying local."

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), one of the apex trade associations of India in association with ITC Sunfeast concluded the third edition of its Wisdom Series lecture titled ‘Role of Consumer Voice' on the theme of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat — Vocal for Local — Moving towards Self-Reliant India'.

The event saw an expert panel consisting of Bejon Kumar Misra, Consumer Policy expert, Khandelwal and Anil Rajput, Chairman, Assocham FMCG Brand Promotion and Protection Council holding an insightful discussion on retail chain utilisation, quality control of products and role of small and medium-sized enterprises to promote local MSMEs and industries to achieve a self-reliant India.

Khandelwal further added on how liberating traders from license raj can propel consumption, "Today if you want to start a business or manufacture a product, then you need 28 types of licenses. How can manufacturers plan to produce if they have to get 28 licenses?

"Most of these licenses are redundant and they have been existing since the pre-Independence era. The producing sector should be liberated to the extent that it becomes easy for the sector to concentrate on producing more and not put their mind on how to reduce costs. They need to be given freedom from the command of multiple authorities."

Bejon Misra said: "The cornerstone of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is quality. We must bring in standards and regulations that assure the consumer of quality and safety. If we want to become a manufacturing hub then we need to bring in the best quality of the world in the goods manufactured in India.

"If we can produce the best quality domestically, then we will not only capture the Indian consumer but also the global consumer. The government must incentivize local manufacturers not just through subsidies but by upgrading their technology, knowledge and incentivizing good manufacturing and distribution practices."

<img class="size-medium wp-image-16679 alignleft" src="https://indianarrative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Praveen-Khandelwal-300×237.jpg" alt="Let 7Cr traders become ambassadors of 'Vocal For Local': CAIT" />Anil Rajput, Chairman, ASSOCHAM FMCG Brand Promotion and Protection Council while moderating the discussion presented insightful questions before the panelists and highlighted the role of consumers in promoting domestic consumption.

"The recent pandemic has brought many changes in consumer behavior and their pattern. While shopping malls and multiplexes were closed, small grocery shop and vegetable and fruit vendors delivered essential items at the doorstep of every citizen's houses. This led to citizens opting for small grocery stores and vendors selling goods near their living area and saw many businesses reinvent their products, services and distribution channel.

"This shows that consumers have a very important role to play to make the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat successful by promoting local products and increasing use of Indian products. This is an opportunity for local brands to establish themselves well in local markets and then promulgate at national and international levels.".