Addressing a large public gathering after inaugurating the projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call for Atma Nirbharta.
“If you are Indian, buy only products made in India. Even during Diwali, purchase only those goods that are made in India by Indians. Traders too should stop selling foreign products and instead promote local goods,” he said, urging the business community to abandon foreign goods in favour of local production.
The PM’s appeal comes against the backdrop of a trade dispute with the US, after President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent duty on Indian goods over oil imports from Russia, pushing the overall import duty on Indian products to nearly 50 percent.
PM Modi highlighted India’s journey towards self-reliance, citing multiple success stories:
Mobile Manufacturing: Eleven years ago, India was heavily dependent on imports for mobile phones. Today, the country manufactures 30–35 crore mobile phones annually, many of which are exported.
Toy Industry Revolution: A decade ago, India relied on imported toys, but now exports them to over 100 countries, a reflection of the ‘Make in India’ initiative’s success.
Local Pride For Traders: Modi said earlier, traders imported foreign items for higher margins, but now they must show pride in selling Indian products.
Announcing next-generation reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the PM promised a “double Diwali bonus” for businesses and citizens. “We have shared the draft framework with states, and I hope all cooperate so that everyone benefits,” he said.
The PM underlined his government’s heavy investment in infrastructure: “In earlier governments, the budget on infrastructure was minimal, but we have increased it six times. These projects not only speed up connectivity but also create jobs for millions, from labourers to engineers,” he said.
The Dwarka Expressway and UER-2 are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Delhi and boost connectivity with Haryana. Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari hailed the projects, saying:
“It used to take me 4 hours to reach Delhi, but today I reached in 45 minutes. Earlier governments ignored these projects, but now world-class roads are a reality.”
The Rs 11,000 crore infrastructure package is set to benefit both Delhi and Haryana, cutting down logistics costs and reducing travel times drastically.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called it a “historic day for North India”, while Delhi CM Rekha Gupta described Modi as a “development man” who continued supporting Delhi despite political hurdles.
Delhi LG Vinay Saxena, Union Ministers, and BJP leaders were also present during the inauguration.
The event coincided with Janmashtami celebrations, and PM invoked cultural pride: “India’s great strength is our ancient culture. This living philosophy connects both Chakradhari Mohan and Charkhadhari Mohan. Our heritage is the foundation of our progress,” Modi said.
PM’s strong call for Swadeshi and ‘Made in India’ goods has come at a crucial time, when India faces foreign trade pressures but also showcases its domestic manufacturing strength to the world.
