Independence Day Special: Self-reliant India, an opportunity

At a time when the world is suffering from a deadly pandemic, India plans to convert this crisis into an opportunity and strengthen its fight by becoming Aatmanirbhar or self-reliant.The term was coined by the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi during his address to the nation on May 12, 2020. He called this campaign as Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self- Reliant India Movement). He also defined five pillars of Aatmanirbhar Bharat – economy, infrastructure, system, demography and demand. He stressed that it is time to become vocal for our local products and make them global. Under this campaign, a special economic package has been released by the government, which will benefit various segments including cottage industry, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), labourers, middle class, and industries, among others.

PM Modi’s five pillars of making India self-reliant
Economy: We have to bring an economy that doesn’t bring incremental change but quantum jump.
Infrastructure: We need an infrastructure which can become the identity of modern India.
System: A system that doesn’t follow norms of the previous century. It should be able to fulfill our 21st century dreams and be technology driven.
Vibrant democracy: It is our strength, it is the source of energy for our dream to make India self-reliant.
Demand: The demand-supply chain is our power, we should use it to its full potential.

The economic package that was announced by the Prime Minister along with various packages released during the lockdown period is around US$ 283.73 billion, which is about 10 per cent of India's GDP. It is expected to provide support and strength to various sections of the country and give a renewed boost to the development journey of the country in 2020. In order to prove the determination of a self-reliant India, Land, Labour, Liquidity and Laws have all been emphasized in this package.
A self reliant India does not mean turning the country inwards or into an isolationist nation, but to embrace the world by becoming stronger. External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar clarified that the call for self-reliant India doesn’t mean shutting down doors to globalization but to grow with the world, as a self-reliant India will have more to offer to the world.