India Pushes for Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Amid Global Challenges

At the 56th EEPC India National Awards, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s resilience and determination to move forward as a united nation, no matter the global challenges. He stressed that India has the strength to overcome any crisis and called upon businesses to focus on swadeshi products to boost both economic growth and financial security.

Call for Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Minister pointed out that recent global events have shown how export controls or restrictions by other nations can affect India. To safeguard against such disruptions, he emphasized the need to strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat—a call to action for innovation, self-reliance, and promoting Made in India products. Businesses that currently depend on imports were urged to explore alternatives that can be manufactured within the country.

Role of Exports in Growth

The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and highlighted the progress of India’s engineering exports over the decades. She noted that exports are vital for strengthening India’s economy and enhancing its position on the global stage.

Shri Goyal also highlighted that India’s backbone lies in trade and MSMEs, which continue to play a pivotal role in the nation’s growth. From just USD 10 million in engineering exports in 1955, India has reached USD 116 billion today—a remarkable journey of progress.

Quality, Trust, and Sustainability

The Minister reiterated the vision of “Zero Defect, Zero Effect”, underlining that Indian products must be of the highest quality and environmentally responsible. He noted that India is now seen as a trusted global partner and is consistently ranked among the top three nations in sustainability efforts under global climate commitments.

Strong Economic Performance

Shri Goyal praised India’s economic transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Once counted among the fragile five, India now stands proudly among the top five economies in the world. He highlighted that India has been the fastest-growing economy for the last four years, achieving an impressive 7.8% GDP growth in the last quarter—a figure he described as a “world record.”

Growth with Equity

Speaking about reforms, the Minister credited GST rate cuts and simplification for boosting domestic demand and opening up new opportunities. He stressed that the benefits of these reforms must reach every citizen, ensuring equitable growth. According to him, when infrastructure investment and consumer demand strengthen on a solid economic base, no power in the world can stop India from becoming a global power.

Also Read: Key GST Rationalisations in Textile Sector

Conclusion

Shri Goyal concluded with a message of unity and inclusiveness, stressing that India’s economic progress must benefit all sections of society. By working together as one family—industry, government, and citizens—India can emerge as a global role model for sustainable and inclusive development.

FAQs

Q1. What was the occasion where Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the nation?
Ans. Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, addressed the gathering at the 56th EEPC India National Awards.

Q2. What message did Shri Goyal give about global challenges?
Ans.  He said that no matter how big the global problems are, India has the strength to stand united and overcome any crisis.

Q3. What is the importance of focusing on swadeshi products?
Ans. Swadeshi products reduce dependence on imports, strengthen India’s financial security, and support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Q4. Why did the Minister highlight Atmanirbhar Bharat?
Ans. He explained that countries can impose export restrictions at any time, which may affect India. Therefore, producing more goods locally makes the country more self-reliant.

Q5. What role do exports play in India’s economy?
Ans. Exports, especially in the engineering sector, are crucial for strengthening the economy and improving India’s global standing. Engineering exports have grown from USD 10 million in 1955 to USD 116 billion today.

Q6. What does “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” mean?
Ans. It means products should be free of defects (Zero Defect) and should not harm the environment (Zero Effect). This ensures quality and sustainability in “Made in India” goods.

Q7. How is India performing economically?
Ans. India has moved from being among the fragile five economies to being in the top five economies globally. The country achieved 7.8% GDP growth in the last quarter, making it the fastest-growing economy for the last four years.

Q8. How have GST reforms helped India’s growth?
Ans. GST rate cuts and simplification have boosted domestic demand, created new opportunities, and ensured that growth benefits reach ordinary citizens.

Q9. What did the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, say at the event?
Ans. She highlighted the growth of engineering exports and their importance in strengthening India’s economy and global position.

Q10. What vision did Shri Goyal share for India’s future?
Ans. He expressed confidence that with unity, self-reliance, and inclusive growth, India can become a global role model for sustainable and inclusive development.