NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Vocal for Local has become a mass movement which has given a new impetus to the textile sector in the country.
Urging the people to popularise local products on National Handloom Day, PM Modi said that India’s vibrant handlooms exemplify the country’s diversity.
Highlighting the Swadeshi Movement, the Prime Minister said that it was not only limited to boycotting foreign-made textiles but a source of inspiration for the independent economy of India.
He said that it was a movement to connect the weavers of India with the people, and this was the inspiration behind the Government choosing this day as National Handloom Day.
“Those who weave the dreams of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and provide strength to ‘Make in India’ consider Khadi to be not just clothing but a weapon”, the Prime Minister exclaimed.
He said that the turnover of Khadi and village industries was only around Rs 25,000-30,000 crore nine years ago but today it has reached more than Rs 1.30 lakh crore.
Highlighting the contribution of the handloom industry of India, PM Modi said the confluence of old and new defines the new India of today. He said to promote the handloom industry the Government was giving loans without guarantee and providing raw material for the handloom weavers at discount rates.
Referring to the rise of a neomiddle class in India, he said a huge young consumer class is being formed for every product and it presents a huge opportunity for textile companies, and said it is also the responsibility of these companies to strengthen the local supply chain and invest in it.
“If we want to take advantage in the future, then we have to invest in local supply chain today. This is the way to build a developed India and realise the dream of a $ 5 trillion economy,” he said.
He also said ‘Ekta Mall’ is being developed in every capital city of states by the Government to promote handicraft and products.
Talking about the GEM portal, he said now every small enterprise can sell their project on GEM directly. He added that at present, 1.75 lakh MSMEs are associated with GEM portal.
During the programme, PM Modi launched the e-portal of ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilp Kosh’- a Repository of Textiles and Crafts that has been developed by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
