“The concept of “Swadeshi” is ridiculed as old-fashioned and reactionary. We proudly use foreign aid in everything, from thinking, management, capital, methods of production, technology, etc., to even the standards and forms of consumption. This is not the road to progress and development. We shall forget our individuality and become virtual slaves once again. The positive content of “Swadeshi” should be used as the cornerstone of reconstruction of our economy”.
– Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, in his lectures on Integral Humanism – from April 22-25, 1965, Lecture – 4, April 25, 1965, on Our Economic System
Four separate events in Bharat echoed the same sentiment – Swadeshi is the only credible option to achieve our national objectives, and it has to be a matter of conviction. Post Operation Sindoor, the importance of indigenous technology and production, especially in the defence sector, has been underscored across the sections.
Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a public meeting in Gandhinagar, gave a clarion call for Swadeshi, saying, “We will have to make traders take a pledge in every village that they will not sell foreign goods no matter how much profit they make.” Although it was intended for all products, the undertone of defence manufacturing in the context of Operation Sindoor was evident. The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch announced the launch of the Swadeshi, Swavlamban, and Suraksha Campaign in support of the Prime Minister’s call, again referring to the tremendous success of the Make in India programme, especially in defence production.
To commemorate 60 years of exposition on Integral Humanism by Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation organised a two-day confluence of thinkers, and the need for swadeshi thought was underlined throughout the conference. In his inaugural address, Shri Arun Kumar, Sah-Sarkaryavah of the RSS, highlighted the fact that when there was a tendency to look for options only in foreign political ideologies, ranging from liberal capitalism to revolutionary communism, Deendayal ji provided a Bharatiya alternative by contextualising ancient political wisdom for the present era.
The opening remarks by RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, while addressing the Shiksharthis (trainees) of the Karyakarta Prashikshan Varg – II at Nagpur, referred to the success of Operation Sindoor and the need to attain self-reliance to ensure security. It came as a clear direction for the future. Without research and innovation in the defence sector, we cannot achieve the national objectives for global peace and sustainable development.
Swadeshi, since the time of freedom struggle, has been a deeply rooted belief among the people of Bharatiya soil. Unfortunately, for the elite, it has been a regressive thought, as pointed out by Deendayal Ji. Swadeshi is neither opposed to globalisation nor technological advancement. Swadeshi is all about accepting whatever is foreign on national terms. We need to be strong enough to reset those terms, especially in the defence sector.
If we examine the economic advancement of post-Independent Bharat, the post-Pokhran era was the golden period in terms of economic growth and indigenous innovations. The entire West imposed sanctions after the Nuclear tests, and Russia, who was the major arms supplier, withheld the supply of cryogenic engines. We defied the sanctions and achieved a remarkable growth rate. With the support of Bharatvanshis, the people of Bharatiya origin abroad, we maintained the investment flow and ensured remarkable developments in the defence and space sectors. Our best minds were challenged to develop indigenous technology as they had no option. The obsession with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and foreign technology reduced considerably. The Congress-led UPA period could not carry that momentum and increased the dependence on countries like China.
Operation Sindoor has yet again proved the importance of indigenous defence production. When international geopolitics is in flux, the old world order is crumbling, and a new one is yet to emerge, we cannot afford to be dependent on imports of goods, especially in defence production. Yes, we will need to import raw materials even to develop fine technological products. In the AI-driven world, we cannot remain aloof from global advancements. What we need is a national will and conviction about the principles of Swadeshi. Whatever is available in our surroundings should not be imported; instead, the necessary things should be acquired on preferred terms through a calculated negotiation process based on national interests. In the global turmoil, it is the inner strength of the society that finally decides the fate of the country – Swadeshi is all about invigorating that faith in selfhood. It is not just economics or defence equipment; it is a matter of national conviction.
