Must embrace ‘Make in India’, says RS MP Barala

India must move forward with the spirit of ‘Make in India’ to build a truly ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) nation, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala said on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference in regard to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan here, Barala stressed the importance of supporting local industries, artisans, and farmers. “Today, we are the world’s largest milk producer and a major exporter of products like millet, banana, ginger, onions, and spices, thanks to the hard work of Indian farmers and the spirit of ‘swadeshi’,” he said.

Barala linked the current push for self-reliance to India’s freedom movement, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s call to boycott foreign goods. “Gandhi promoted ‘swadeshi’ during the Independence struggle, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advanced that vision through campaigns like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, and ‘Vocal for Local’,” he added.

Barala said India now manufactured tanks, missiles such as the BrahMos, and even semiconductors. India was exporting defence equipment to other nations, he said.

“From traditional crafts to modern technology, Indian products are earning global recognition. But true self-reliance requires us to adopt local language, attire, food, culture, and enterprise,” Barala said. “Freedom is incomplete if we depend on others for food, clothing, defence, or industry. Economic independence will follow only when we become self-reliant.”