PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to buy products made by local artisans while doing festival shopping, saying such a move will boost the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and ensure realisation of the vision of a self-reliant India. In his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he said the spirit of ‘Vocal for Local’ is taking Indian products to markets across the world as ‘makhana’ from Bihar is reaching Greece, while ‘arhar dal’ from Karnataka is being exported to the Maldives, opening new global markets for Indian farmers. The Prime Minister noted that during festivals, people buy many things for their family and loved ones.

 

“This time too, while shopping, please give priority to products made by local artisans. Your purchases will boost their enthusiasm,” he said. Modi said this personal support will advance the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, and the more ‘Vocal for Local’ grows, the faster the vision of a self-reliant India will be realised. “Therefore, I personally urge you to give priority and prominence to products crafted by local artisans.” In his radio broadcast, Modi also highlighted the country’s traditional skills that have been a part of people’s identity for generations. The Prime Minister spoke about the revival of traditional farming practices in Punjab, noting that an organisation named ‘Kheti Virasat Mission’ has started breathing new life into organic farming. He said the people in this team wanted to promote natural cotton farming in Punjab’s Malwa region and named the initiative ‘Nav-Trinjan’.

 

During the broadcast, Modi also spoke about people in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand coming together to breathe new life into the Heval river. He said some time ago, the water level in the Heval began to drop, and nearby natural water sources were drying up. During the broadcast, the Prime Minister also highlighted the ‘e-Sanjeevani’ scheme through which technology is being used effectively for medical consultations. Modi said that through its vast network, the e-Sanjeevani service reaches even the remotest corners of the country, and the stories of its beneficiaries are deeply moving.

 

Prime Minister termed the 12-year journey of his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ a “pilgrimage”, describing it as an opportunity to closely understand the efforts of citizens and pay tribute to their contributions. He said that through the radio address, he, in a way, worships the collective power (Lokshakti) of the nation and it gives him the opportunity to connect with every family in the country. “Welcome once again to Mann Ki Baat. Twelve years ago today, on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, we began Mann Ki Baat. Since then, our journey has been continuing without interruption. You are both fellow travellers and guides on this journey,” he said. The Prime