As they say, every difficult period instructs us towards some innovations and teaches us how to make the best out of all the fewer availabilities we have. This year, 2020, has taught us so many things, from being independent to survive on minimal things. It has affected us in many ways, where the only option we all have is to make our ways to endure the casualties and help our nation and encourage others to do the same. Atma Nirbhar Bharat is an undertaking where we will expand the local and regional products and businesses, which could lead us to India’s robust growth and give pace to Self-Reliant India Movement.
As a part of an economic package that focused on those affected by COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted the vision of self-reliant India Movement. The concept is to inspire and propel local businesses so that our economy witnesses significant growth, even in this pandemic.
‘Vocal for local’ is another phenomenon promoted by the PM that is an extension of self-reliant India Movement, urging us citizens to support our local businesses and use India’s products. By propelling these ideas, the PM is putting us in-charge of the products that might shape our Economy, which will help businesses that are affected by COVID-19.
At a time when the world is aching from a deadly pandemic, India has planned to convert this crisis into an opportunity and strengthens its fight by becoming Atma-nirbhar or self-reliant. The term “self-reliant” or “Aatmanirbhar” 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 Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan or Self-Reliant India Movement.
Vocal for Local
Covid-19 has shown us the benefits to “BE INDIAN & BUY INDIAN” a vision of PM Modi are reflected in the words “Vocal for Local.”According to our Prime Minister, our scriptures, ‘Esha Upanishads, ‘ talk about self-reliance. India has now become aware of its supply chain and also has realized the importance of being self-reliant as relying on other countries for critical items will ultimately put us on their mercy. The pandemic has brought about many changes in the consumer behavior and pattern. Due to this, many multinational retailers had to face huge revenue fall down.
This pandemic has taught us the value of local manufacturing, local markets, and local supply chains. The emphasis on “local to vocal” asserts that it is all about” Made in India” and to push Indian products to become large enough to compete with international brands. The mission of this Self-Reliant India Movement is explained as not being self-centric but being self-sufficient to bring co-operation, happiness, and peace in the world.
Every Indian citizen has an important role to play in leading India’s massive Self-Reliant India Movement as each one of us are encouraged by promoting local products and to use Indian products more and more. By urging every Indian citizen to buy and promote Khadi, not only buy local products but also to advertise them at the global front, it will indeed be called “a local for vocal’ as self-reliance leads to empowerment, happiness, and satisfaction.
Self-Reliant India Movement: Covid-Crisis-Opportunity
PM Modi said that the covid crisis had provided an opportunity for India to become self-reliant and announced an Rs 20 lakh crore package for the purpose, which is equivalent to almost 10% of India’s GDP. He said that the package would provide a much-needed boost towards achieving ‘Atmanirbbhar Bharat.’ While addressing the nation on the COVID-19 outbreak, Modi said that an unprecedented crisis has emerged, but in this battle, we need to protect ourselves and keep moving forward.
The definition of self-reliance has changed in the globalized world; it is being different from being self-centered. He said that India’s culture considers the world as one family, and progress in India will contribute towards the development of the entire world. Talking about the positive impact of reforms concerning Self-Reliant India Movement, PM said that several bold steps have to be taken to make the country self-reliant and provide wings to the Self-Reliant India Movement. These reforms include supply chain reforms for agriculture, a rational tax system, simple and straightforward laws, capable human resources, and a strong financial system.
The aim of these reforms will be to promote business, attract more investment, and strengthening the make in India mission. The main objective of the Self-Reliant India Movement is to meet all the demands in this crisis by locally produced goods and help these local products to become global.
Five Pillars of Self-Reliant India
PM Modi said that a self-reliant India Movement would stand on five pillars viz.1-Economy, which brings the quantum jump, not the incremental change.2-Infrastructure, which should become the identity of india.3-system, based on technology-driven arrangements.4-vibrant demography and 5-Demand whereby our demand and supply chain strengths should be utilized to full capacity.
Key Highlights of Self-Reliant India Movement
- So far, Rs 52,606 crore has been transferred to 41crore Jan Dhan account holders, Rs 18,000 crore gain transfers; ujjwala, divyang, and old age have also benefitted.
- A collateral-free MSME loan is being provided. It would give a facility of three lakh crore.
- Government to launch an RS.30, 000 crore special liquidity scheme. Under this, the investment would be made in both primary and secondary market transactions in investments graded debt paper of NBFCs, HCFCs, and MFIs
- The Self-Reliant India Movement aims towards cutting down import dependence by focusing on substitution while improving safety compliance and quality goods to gain global market share. Self-Reliant India Movement involves the creation of a helping hand to the whole world and does not include exclusionary practice.
- The Self-reliant India Movement focuses on the importance of promoting “local” products.
Sectors Having the Potential to Achieve Self-Reliance in the Future
Textile Industry
Indian textile industry is the second largest industry in terms of economic contribution and employment generation. The textile and apparel sector contributes 14% to industrial production, 4% to India’s GDP, and constitutes 15% of the country’s export earnings. China is the largest exporter and leading importer of all finished products and raw materials, due to which the global suppliers are looking for an alternative for textiles. Therefore, if they are not getting from china, these opportunities may get diverted to India. The closure of units in china has led to a demand drop for textiles. It is the opportunity for the domestic manufacturer to supply the fabric to the garment exporter. Many textile industries started manufacturing PPE kits and masks. India, as a result, has become the second-largest manufacturer of PPE kits worth Rs 7000 crore.
Organic Farming
The World organic farming reports 2018 reveals India is third among the organic food producers in the world. Indian organic food market is approx. $1.5billion out of $250 billion global organic food market. Organic farming can become a massive Self-Reliant India Movement and dominate the global market. It is estimated that Indian agriculture is growing at 25% a year. Keeping this in mind, the government has originated two dedicated programs, namely- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, with the aim to assist farmers in adopting organic farming. The organic e-commerce platform is being strengthened for directly linking farmers with retail as well as bulk buyers.
Automobile Industry
India is the fourth-largest auto market in the world. It contributes 7% of GDP, 40% of India’s manufacturing, and engaging 45 million Indians directly or indirectly. The ‘Make in India’ initiative has played an essential role in uplifting the country’s position. India has been known for frugal engineering and low-cost managerial talent.
In the wake of this pandemic situation, the Indian government is planning a policy to help revive the automobile sector by drawing up an incentive scheme aiming to double exports of vehicles and components in the next five years. Now, this will make the auto companies more self-reliant and advance their financial situation in the long run.
The Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) has outlined a proposal to increase local manufacturing and scaling up to vehicle exports from the country. The incentives will be based on the sales amount of vehicles and components. The Ministry is also planning to fix the minimum eligibility criteria for firms.
Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in 1969
It had a 5% share of the global market. By 2020, now Indian pharma is having almost 85% share of the global market. In line with PM Narendra Modi’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission, Sadananda Gowda introduced four schemes to make India self-reliant in various medical devices, producing 53 critical Active Pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or KSM’s.
One of the important strategies being considered by the government that the doctor’s communities should reduce the prescription of antibiotics and other cephalosporins as India is totally dependant on china for basic raw materials. The government is focusing on advising the doctors to prescribe old antibiotics like co-trimoxazole, etc., in which India has a surplus.
MGNREGA
The MGNREGA is one of the most important Rural Employment Programme to provide opportunities to villagers to become self-reliant. In pursuance of this, the government has allocated an additional fund of Rs 40,000 crore under Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan. It has helped increase agricultural productivity massively. Self-reliant India would not be possible without self-reliant villages.
Real Estate
Under the self-reliant India Movement, the government has planned to extend the CLSS (credit linked subsidy scheme) by 2021 for the middle-income households to increase the investments of Rs.70 000 crore in the housing sector. It will help in boosting the ailing real estate sector. By giving a boost to the real estate sector will lead to an upsurge in demand for sectors related to it, such as steel, cement, transport, and also helps in generating a huge amount of employment.
Coal Sector and Minerals
In order to achieve the objectives of the self-reliance mission, the government will be ending the monopoly of Coal India Ltd by introducing the commercial mining of coal. The main focus of the government is now to make India fully self-reliant in the production of coal by reducing the dependence of India on coal import from other countries.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
The primary focus of this scheme was on the MSME sector and its development as it helps in providing sustenance to a large number of populations as there are about 67 million MSMEs operating in the nonagricultural sector in India. The government will provide RS.3 lakh crore collateral-free loans to MSME with an annual turnover of RS.100 crore or an outstanding loan of Rs.25 crore. There is a change in the definition of MSME where it has done away with the distinction between manufacturing and service MSMEs and to increase the investment limits in these sectors. The change in definition will allow the MSME to expand, which will consequently benefit a lot more industries, especially the automobile sector, as most of the auto companies are MSMEs.
Objectives of Atma Nirbhar Bharat
Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package will help revive every Indian economy sector, including the demand and supply chain. It will pave the path for the revival of the dooming Indian Economy due to the pandemic’s adverse effects, which in turn helps make India self-reliant. It aims to ease the hardships of the migrant laborers and farmers who have suffered the most during the lockdown. By helping in promoting cottage industries, small scale industries and MSMEs will help provide a livelihood to crores of people. One of the most critical objectives of Aatm Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is to reduce unemployment, insolvency, and poverty and increase India’s per capita income.
Aatmnirbhar Sena- Bridging National Agenda with Social Interests towards Self Reliance
Our organization Aatmnirbhar Sena is working towards achieving the goals of Self-Reliant India Movement by nurturing and motivating the new and budding entrepreneur and prepares them to survive the corporate world and secure livelihood and a healthy environment. Our aim is not only limited to provide, create, and secure employment but also guiding them by mentoring programs, skilled training and vocational classes, workshops, organizing seminars, and conferences.
Conclusion
The Aatmnirbhar Sena is working very hard to provide 360-degree assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and guiding them in raising a business organization. The Aatmnirbhar Sena is working towards ensuring the vulnerable class of society, severely affected in the times like this. Providing them with financial assistance as the pandemic has ruined the livelihood of many.
Atma Nirbhar Bharat is a long-term concept, and the Indian Economy has a vast potential to achieve the objectives of Self-Reliant India Movement, and by proper implementations of the laws and proper allocation of funds, India will show a rising trend as it has shown till now. Being a Welfare state, it is not only a responsibility of the government but also of consumers to consume domestically produced goods as the demand is the main factor in developing any sector.
