BackPM makes a pitch to boost domestic manufacturing
Modi also said the milestone of administering one billion plus doses of covid-19 vaccine has given confidence to people and businesses of their prospects in coming months as optimism about safety from the pandemic underpins festive demand
PremiumNEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong case for buying locally made goods that will boost India’s manufacturing sector, relying on the wide acceptance of locally made covid-19 vaccines in protecting lives.
Modi also said the milestone of administering billion-plus doses of covid vaccine has given confidence to people and businesses of their prospects in the coming months as optimism about safety from the pandemic underpins the festive demand.
To be sure, only a little over 30% of adults have got both shots.
In his address to the nation, Modi said there was a time when people were attracted to products made in certain other nations, but today everyone sees the strength of items produced in India.
Modi said he wished to urge people that items made in India, even if it is a small thing, should be supported if any worker in the country has shed a drop of sweat in making that. “This will work only with support from everyone. This has to be a people’s movement like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. I am confident that with everyone’s help, we will be able to do this," Modi said in his speech delivered in Hindi.
“If made-in-India vaccine can protect me, then things made in my country can make my Diwali grand," Modi said.
He also said that last Diwali, people were tense; but this Diwali, the milestone of administering one billion doses of vaccine has instilled a sense of confidence. Sustained vaccination, reforms and a strong push to local manufacturing and infrastructure development have been key elements of India’s economic recovery strategy.
“The vaccine achievement gives reason for confidence. Today we can say that the country knows how to achieve great targets. But we need to be cautious. We should not lower the guard. However strong the armour may be, soldiers do not cast away weapons so long as the war is on," Modi said while urging caution during Diwali.
On Thursday, India administered one billion vaccine doses. Modi said this is a fitting answer to all doubts about India’s capability to run a massive vaccination drive to fight back the pandemic. As of Friday, India has over 175,000 active cases. Covid has so far claimed over 453,000 lives in India.
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