The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, has called upon India to become achievers rather than depend on others. It is an opportunity for all when the government is charting a new path, amidst the economic and pandemic crisis, that the whole world is grappling with. “The state of the world today teaches us that an ‘Atmanirbhar’ or “Self-reliant India” is the only path. It is said in our scriptures – EshahPanthah that is, self-sufficient India,” said the Prime Minister on August 15, 2019, speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Atmanirbhar Bharat will become the springboard on which a New India could pole-vault to an era of sustainable economic prosperity and societal good. Suppose the execution matches the vision and mission, in that case, India will bridge the gap created by the current economic crisis as well as digital divides between the haves and the have-nots. Remember, the Y2K crisis at the beginning of this century. Technology experts from India pulled the world out of that crisis. Today India has the resources, the power, and the best software, hardware and design talent in the world.
“We will make the best products, will improve our quality further, make the supply chain more modern, we can do this, and we will do it,” said Modi. His confidence comes from the enormous human resource talent that is available in India, across all the sectors. He is confident that self-reliance will prepare the country for tough competition in the global supply chain, and the country must win this competition. The Prime Minister’s faith in his vision to make India ‘Atmanirbhar,’ was reciprocated by the people. During the pandemic, crisis taught us the importance of local manufacturing, the local market and local supply chains. All our demands during the crisis were met ‘locally’.
The supporting call to boost ‘Atmanirbhar,’ was to be vocal about the local products and help these local products become global. Under this mission, a considerable number of PPE kits, medicines and other medical equipment were exported to many countries, including a few developed nations. “Atmanirbhar Bharat provides a truly watershed moment in our history to ignite the innovative entrepreneurial spirit of New India by focusing on strengthening its pillars, which will ensure an unprecedented wave of long-deserved growth, prosperity and well-being that can serve the interests of the rest of the world as well,” states R. Ramanan, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog in one of his articles.
He ensured that the vision of achieving ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ was followed up, when on May 12, the Prime Minister announced a special economic package and gave a clarion call for Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Special economic and comprehensive package was of Rs. 20 lakh crores – equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP – to fight COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu Vice President of India and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha describes Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan as a mission to galvanize the forces of growth across the country in various sectors of the economy. He, said it was a launch pad for fostering entrepreneurship , nurturing innovation and creation of an ecosystem for rural-urban symbiotic development. Mr Naidu also pointed out that Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan was not a call for protectionism or isolationism, but for adopting a pragmatic development strategy that would enable the country to recognize and capitalize on its inherent strengths. Atmanirbhar Bhart has given an opportunity to many. Over the years, India can expect many ‘achievers’ in every field. The government’s effort in promoting achievers is critical to making India the ‘Vishwaguru.’
