BJP leader urges support for Swadeshi products at Andhra Pradesh Khadi fair

Swadeshi products can strengthen self-reliance, says BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Andhra Pradesh in-charge Aravind Singh Bhadoria called on people to promote indigenous products and support local weavers, artisans and manufacturers at a Khadi fair inaugurated here on Thursday.

He said such support could strengthen the country’s economic self-reliance.

Mr. Bhadoria inaugurated the fair on the occasion of the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Linking Swadeshi with India’s economic history

Mr. Bhadoria said India had a long tradition of producing textiles, food and other goods for domestic consumption as well as for export.

He said the colonial economic system had adversely affected Indian industries by taking raw materials from India, manufacturing products in Britain and selling them back in the Indian market.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s promotion of Swadeshi and Khadi during the freedom movement, he said the movement had encouraged people to support indigenous production.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was promoting local manufacturing through the “Local for Vocal” initiative.

The BJP’s State co-in-charge Vanathi Srinivasan and Andhra Pradesh-Telangana organisational general secretary Madhukar also participated in the programme.

Ms. Srinivasan said Gandhi’s ideals should be translated into action and referred to initiatives such as Viksit Bharat and “Local for Vocal”.

Focus on handloom and traditional crafts

Ms. Srinivasan said Andhra Pradesh had considerable potential in handloom and traditional crafts such as Kalamkari and Srikalahasti handicrafts.

She appealed to people to allocate at least 30% of their clothing purchases to handloom products.

Her appeal connected the broader message of Swadeshi with a specific call to increase the share of handloom products in clothing purchases.

Mr. Madhukar said Khadi had been given a new image and brought into mainstream fashion.

BJP State general secretary Nagothu Ramesh Naidu said Khadi had gained wider visibility under the present government.

He said Khadi fairs could help take the message of Swadeshi to the public.

MLC Pothula Sunitha and several other BJP leaders attended the programme.

‘Anganwadi Utsav’ in Vijayawada

Meanwhile, the BJP Mahila Morcha organised an “Anganwadi Utsav” in Vijayawada as part of its “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan”.

Anganwadi workers were felicitated for their services at the programme.

BJP Mahila Morcha State president M. Nishidha Raju attended the programme.

Source: The Hindu