Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a strong appeal to Indian citizens to buy and support ‘swadeshi’ (Made in India) products, emphasizing that the country’s prosperity rests on becoming self-reliant. In his address to the nation, coinciding with the start of Navratri, PM Modi drew parallels to the historic Swadeshi movement that strengthened India’s freedom struggle and urged households and businesses to promote indigenous manufacturing. He encouraged everyone to take pride in using locally made goods instead of foreign imports, highlighting that every home and shop should exemplify ‘swadeshi’ ideals.
The Prime Minister stressed that India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in boosting domestic manufacturing and job creation. The shift towards ‘swadeshi’ is seen as vital for making India a developed nation and reducing dependency on overseas goods.
GST Reforms: Cheaper Goods, Simple Taxes
Effective September 22, 2025, the government has rolled out next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, simplifying the tax structure by reducing the number of slabs to just two — 5% and 18%. Nearly 99% of items previously taxed at 12% will now fall under the 5% bracket, including food, medicines, soaps, and insurance, offering significant cost relief to households. High-value and “sin” goods, such as tobacco products, will now attract a separate 40% slab.
PM Modi announced the launch of the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ or savings festival, promising increased savings and purchasing power for families and businesses. These reforms are expected to assist all sections of society — from the poor and middle class to youths and traders — by making daily essentials more affordable and simplifying compliance for businesses.
Accelerating India’s Growth Story
PM Modi assured the nation that these reforms will accelerate India’s growth trajectory by improving ease of doing business, attracting new investments, and empowering MSMEs to compete globally. The reduction in tax rates is expected to boost consumption, while easier GST registration and faster refunds will support entrepreneurship and formalization of the economy. Experts predict that the upcoming GST restructuring could save Indian taxpayers up to ₹2.5 lakh crore annually.
With all states participating as equal stakeholders, PM Modi highlighted that these reforms and the emphasis on swadeshi goods mark a critical step for achieving the country’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) and rapid development in the years ahead.