India should move towards self-reliance: PM Modi vows to go 'local'

12th May

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday with a host of measures. Taking stock of the pandemic situation which has impacted the economy, the PM announced a package of Rs 20 lakh crore. This amount reflects 10% of India's GDP.  "I announce a special economic package today. This will play an important role in the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'. The announcements made by the govt over COVID, decisions of RBI & today's package totals to Rs 20 Lakh Crores. This is 10% of India's GDP", said Narendra Modi.

Pm Modi also advocated for self-sufficiency by evoking India's glorious history as an economic power. He talked about the 5 pillars for self-reliance, which include the economy with potential for quantum jump, infrastructure, tech-driven system, demography, and intelligence-driven supply system.

"When India speaks of self-reliance, it does not advocate for a self-centered system. In India's self-reliance there is a concern for the whole world's happiness, cooperation & peace", said Narendra Modi

He also stressed the importance of going for the homegrown industry. "Time has taught us that we must make 'local' the mantra of our lives. Global brands that are there today were once local too but when people there started supporting them they became global. That is why from today, every Indian must become vocal for our local", says PM Modi.

PM Modi reiterated that lockdown will be extended but has cleared that there will be relaxations associated with the lockdown. "Scientists say that Corona will be a part of our lives for a very long time. But we can't let our lives remain confined around Corona. We will wear masks and maintain social distancing but we will not let it affect us. So lockdown 4 will be in a new form with new rules", said the Prime Minister.

Here are the key takeaways from his speech

When the crisis started then not even a single PPE kit was manufactured in India, only a few N95 masks were available. Today 2 Lakh PPE kits and 2 Lakh N95 masks are manufactured in India daily

• Today when the entire world is in crisis, we will have to further firm our resolveWe had never seen or heard about such a crisis ever before. This is definitely unimaginable for mankind. This was unprecedented. But humanity will not accept defeat from this virus. We have to not only protect ourselves but also move forward
• More than 42 lakh people from different countries have been infected by COVID19, more than 2.75 lakh people have lost their lives due to the virus. In India too many families have lost their dear ones, I express my condolences to them
• We had never seen or heard about such a crisis ever before. This is definitely unimaginable for mankind. This was unprecedented. But humanity will not accept defeat from this virus. We have to not only protect ourselves but also move forward
• Based on the suggestions by states, information related to lockdown 4 will be given to you before 18th May. We will fight Corona and we will move forward

  Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

  To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

  Download:

  The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

  Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.