New Delhi, October 2: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced special educational modules on “Swadeshi,” reflecting the Prime Minister’s emphasis on self-reliance. The two modules, “Swadeshi: Vocal for Local” for middle school students and “Swadeshi: For a Self-Reliant India” for secondary students, feature excerpts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address. The modules underscore the role of self-reliance in propelling India toward becoming a developed nation.
Highlighting achievements in India’s space, defence, and health sectors, the books encourage citizens and shopkeepers to support locally made products under the “Vocal for Local” initiative. NCERT emphasized that Swadeshi should arise from pride and strength rather than obligation.
The modules also trace the historical roots of the Swadeshi Movement, recalling the campaign launched on August 7, 1905, in response to the Partition of Bengal. The books note that leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak promoted the boycott of British goods, while Mahatma Gandhi emphasized Swadeshi in education, and Rabindranath Tagore regarded it as a true measure of freedom.
Practical applications of Swadeshi today are highlighted, including strengthening India’s manufacturing base through initiatives like Make in India, and building global trust in Indian products, from Amul’s dairy sector to ISRO’s space ventures and Ayurveda-based wellness. The modules cite countries such as Vietnam and Israel as examples of strategic self-reliance, while linking these lessons to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages entrepreneurial skills from school onwards.
By combining domestic self-reliance with global competitiveness, the modules suggest that India can emerge as one of the world’s leading economies, fostering both economic independence and international trust in Indian products.
