Stories
The Swadeshi Legacy: From Gandhi to RSS and Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat
- •Mahatma Gandhi's concept of 'Swadeshi' extends beyond economics, encompassing religious, political, and economic life, focusing on serving immediate surroundings and indigenous institutions.
- •The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) views Swadeshi as an outward manifestation of patriotism, advocating for national self-reliance without isolationism, as articulated by Dattopant Thengadi.
- •Between 1990 and 2000, the RSS passed resolutions promoting Swadeshi to counter unchecked globalization and liberalization, emphasizing self-reliance and self-respect.
- •The Narendra Modi government, influenced by RSS ideology, has revived Swadeshi through initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Vocal for Local, translating the concept into policy.
- •PM Modi consistently reiterates commitment to Swadeshi, emphasizing self-confidence, self-respect, and self-reliance as crucial for India's progress, making it a central national agenda.
Key Questions Answered
Gandhi defined Swadeshi as the spirit that restricts us to the use and service of our immediate surroundings to the exclusion of the remote. He applied this wholesome framework to religious, political, and economic life, emphasizing that it involves utilizing indigenous institutions, ancestral traditions, and goods produced by immediate neighbors.
Dattopant Thengadi, founder of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and an RSS ideologue, described Swadeshi as the practical manifestation of patriotism. He noted that patriotism is not isolationism or a rejection of internationalism, provided that international cooperation occurs on an equal footing respecting national dignity.
The Modi government has translated Swadeshi from academic debate into policy through initiatives like Make in India launched in 2014, Atmanirbhar Bharat introduced in 2020, and Vocal for Local. These programs aim to boost domestic manufacturing and advance economic self-reliance.
