PM Modi: Buy local, help make Mahatma Gandhi's dream come alive

Greeting the nation on the occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, call on to promote everything local. He urged people to opt for 'local tourism' and 'shop local' in a bid to boost 'local economy'. He then went on to say by being a patron of local products one can give greater momentum to Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. 

'Become a patron of local things and buy local'

"I had once said that we should try to buy local products. The more we try to buy our local things; the 'Gandhi150' will become a great event in itself. I would urge you to come forward and become a patron of local things and buy local. And witness for ourselves, how we can play an important role in making Mahatma Gandhi's dream come alive," he said. 

The Prime Minister also urged people to buy local from the markets for Diwali to aid local and small businesses

"Festivals are occasions that awaken a new consciousness in our lives. And especially during Diwali, it is customary in every family to buy something new, get something from the market in smaller or larger quantity," he said. 

'India has immense possibilities for festival tourism'

During his address, the Prime Minister also said that India has a lot of potential for 'festival tourism'. He said we must popularise festivals like Holi and Diwali, and invite people from other states and countries to join the celebrations. The Prime Minister also observed that Indians living abroad have a huge role in promoting Indian festivals. 

"Festival tourism has its own exciting attractions globally. India is the land of festivals that presents immense possibilities for festival tourism," he said 

The Prime Minister also called on to celebrate the women power. His new campaign 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' is aimed at empowering the women of the country. He also shared inspiring stories of women. 

"In last Mann Ki Baat, we had decided to celebrate this Diwali in a different way, I had called for celebrating the achievements of Naari Shakti of India, which means honouring 'Bharat ki Laxmi' (Laxmi of India)," the prime minister said. 

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