<p class="p1">While Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have begun by talking about India's victory in the Kargil War and stressed the importance for Indians to take a pledge to gain independence from the current coronavirus pandemic, he very carefully yet strongly made a vocal for a local pitch in view of the ensuing festivities.</p>
<p class="p1">"Raksha Bandhan is approaching. I have seen that many people as well as organizations are running initiatives to celebrate the festival in a different manner. Many are linking it to 'Vocal for Local' and that is right," said Modi today during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address.</p>
<p class="p1">In fact, Modi used the phrase "vocal for local" and championed the cause of a self-reliant India, in the aftermath of the complete lockdown to restart and re energize the nation's economy, in a post-Covid scenario. He had announced a massive economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10 per cent of India's GDP) with the aim of making the country "Aatmanirbhar".</p>
<p class="p1">Today, he said, "The joy of celebrating festivals increases when it helps expand the business of people in our society, in our neighborhood and it makes it a joyous festival for them, as well."</p>
<p class="p1">He cited examples of Madhubani masks from Bihar that took social media by storm as well as bottles made with bamboo, in northeast India, to make a strong pitch for everything indigenous, keeping in mind the brisk business done during the ensuing festivities.</p>
<p class="p1">Even in his concluding remarks, Modi urged Indians to take a pledge on the upcoming Independence Day, of attaining an "Aatmanirbhar Bharat".</p>.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's constant support for Maldives' progress and prosperity in…
US on Friday imposed sanctions on the Beijing-based cybersecurity company Integrity Technology Group, Incorporated (Integrity…
India and Iran held the 19th round of Foreign Office Consultations in the national capital…
Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that Indians must…
India has received the request for extradition of ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina…
India's electric mobility space is "absolutely ready to fly" and there is no need for…