PM Narendra Modi calls for reforms-driven growth, stresses self-reliance in Mann ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Indians to “make Vocal for Local your shopping mantra,” tying festive season consumption to the country’s larger push for self-reliance, reforms, and growth. In his 126th Mann ki Baat address, Modi said India’s economic strength must rest on domestic demand, local production, and resilience amid global uncertainties over tariffs, ratings, and market volatility.

“This time, a ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ is also going on,” Modi said, calling on citizens to opt for Swadeshi goods during the upcoming festivals. “If we decide to celebrate this festival only with Swadeshi products, you will see the joy of our celebrations rise manifold. When we do that, we don’t just buy goods; we bring home hope to a family, honor the hard work of an artisan, and give wings to the dreams of a young entrepreneur.”

The Prime Minister stressed that India’s growth trajectory, supported by reforms, has improved international ratings but warned that domestic resilience was key in the face of external challenges. “We have to become self-reliant, we have to make the country self-reliant; and the path to that lies only through Swadeshi,” he said.

Modi noted that consumption patterns during festivals could directly support India’s reform-driven economy. “You will take home only what is made by the people of the country. You will use only those goods which bear the toil of a citizen of the country,” he said, adding that these choices strengthen communities while aligning with the government’s broader reform agenda.

He also highlighted the revival of Khadi and handicrafts as examples of how India’s growth model could draw from tradition while creating jobs. “Khadi sales have seen a surge in recent years. I urge all of you to buy one Khadi product or the other on the 2nd of October. Say it with pride these are Swadeshi,” he said, recalling Gandhi’s emphasis on self-reliance.

Modi underlined that reforms were not just policy exercises but everyday practices that citizens could adopt - through cleaner neighborhoods, support for local industries, and participation in digital platforms that formalise and expand markets. “Cleanliness should become our responsibility everywhere – in the streets, neighborhoods, markets, and villages,” he added.

Alongside, he pointed to individual examples of entrepreneurs who have combined tradition with innovation - such as Yaazh Naturals in Tamil Nadu, Johargram in Jharkhand, and Sankalp Creations in Bihar - as proof of how India’s growth model can balance heritage and modernity.