New Delhi: In an attempt to give a boost to domestic industries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the countrymen to substitute foreign-made products they use with items produced in India, which should be their resolution for the country in the New Year. In his last ‘Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast of the year, he said people have supported the ‘vocal for local’ campaign started by his government as part of its Atma Nirbhar Bharat programme and asked manufacturers and industry leaders to ensure that world-class products are made in the country.

“The call of 'vocal for local' is reverberating in each and every household…In such a scenario, it is time to ensure that our products meet global standards,” he said, sharing feedback from people about the campaign. Urging people to prepare a list of items they use and find out those which were manufactured abroad, he said they should substitute them with 'made in India' products.

“Let us find out their substitutes made in India and decide that henceforth we shall use products made with the hard work and sweat of the people of India. You make New Year resolutions every year. This time one has to certainly make a resolution for the country,” said the Prime Minister.

“We are supporting a self-reliant India. There should be a clear message for our manufacturers that they should not compromise on the quality of the products. What he says is right. This is the opportune moment to work with the ethos of ‘zero effect, zero defect.’ I urge manufacturers and industry leaders of the country … people of the country have taken a firm step…moving a bold step forward…vocal for local is reverberating in each and every household….in such a scenario, it is time to ensure that our products meet global standards. Whatever is global best; we should make it in India and prove it. For that, our entrepreneur friends have to come forward. Start-ups too have to come forth,” he said.

Noting that the issue of single-use plastic could not be discussed much due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, he asserted that ridding the country of single-use plastic is one of the resolutions for the New Year. During his address, he also paid tributes to several revered Sikh personalities, including sons of Guru Gobind Singh, saying their sacrifices helped keep our culture safe.

”We pay tribute to the brave Chaar Sahibzaade, we remember Mata Gujri, we recall the greatness of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. We remain indebted to these greats for their sacrifices and their spirit of compassion,” he said. The Prime Minister also touched on the subject of wildlife conservation. Noting that the population of leopards in India has increased by over 60 per cent between 2014 and 2018, from 7,900 to 12,852, Modi described this as a big achievement for the year.

He added that in the past few years, the population of lions and tigers too has increased and so has India's forest cover. Speaking of the feedback he received for his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast on multiple platforms, he said the common factor has been that people have commended the country's capabilities and the collective strength of the countrymen during the pandemic. /BI/