History & Civics
Is the Swadeshi Movement on a path to revival with the 'Make in India' scheme launched by the Indian government? List initiatives that aim at making India self reliant and a global leader
Answer
Yes, the Make in India scheme launched in 2014 can be seen as a modern revival of the spirit of the Swadeshi Movement. Just like the Swadeshi Movement encouraged Indians to buy Indian-made goods and develop Indian industries, Make in India aims to make India a global manufacturing hub and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Initiatives that aim at making India Self-Reliant and a Global Leader:
- Make in India (2014) - Encourages both Indian and foreign companies to manufacture their products in India, creating jobs and boosting Indian industries.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India, 2020) - Launched during COVID-19, this initiative encourages India to become self-sufficient in all sectors — from medicine and technology to defence and agriculture.
- Vocal for Local - Encourages Indians to buy and promote locally made products, just like the original Swadeshi Movement.
- Digital India - Aims to make India a leader in technology and digital services, reducing dependence on foreign technology companies.
- Startup India - Encourages young Indians to start their own businesses and develop innovative Indian products and services.
- Skill India - Trains millions of Indians in various skills to make them employable and productive, strengthening Indian industries.
- Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) - Gives financial incentives to Indian manufacturers in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and automobiles to boost Indian production.
- Defence Self-Reliance - India is now manufacturing its own defence equipment like Tejas fighter jets, INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and missiles, reducing dependence on foreign weapons.
- Solar and Renewable Energy - India is becoming a global leader in solar energy through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, reducing dependence on fossil fuels imported from other countries.
- UPI and Fintech - India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now being adopted globally, making India a world leader in digital payments technology.
Related Questions
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
It is a mistake to suppose that the Swadeshi movement requires sacrifice from poor people. We, the middle classes are the greatest offenders in this respect. The poor Kumbi villagers, require not many foreign articles at all, — probably none at all. It is we, the middle classes, who are the consumers of foreign goods; and since this Government is not going to stop the drain by imposing a protective duty it becomes imperatively necessary to adopt a measure by which we can do ourselves what the Government is bound to do and what the government ought to have done long ago. That one point was self-help and another point was determination; and the third sacrifice. You will find that all this included in this resolution, joined with the declaration made in the Presidential address that Swadeshism is a forced necessity in India owing to unnatural economic conditions in India, makes up a complete case for you. I trust that resolution of self-help adopted this year will form the basis of other resolutions of self-help in years to come.’
— Bal Gangadhar Tilak (At the 1906 session of Indian National Congress, where the resolution on Swadeshi was moved.).
(a) What was the main aim of Swadeshi as referred to in the extract? How does, it relate to 'boycott'?
(b) What are the reasons for focussing on Swadeshi?
(c) In what ways is the speaker of this extract the forerunner of Gandhiji?
Study the pictures given below and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Identify the persons 'A' and 'B' given above. To which section of the Congress did each belong and what were their ultimate objectives?
(b) State three different methods of struggle adopted by each section of the Congress.
(c) State two contributions of persons 'A' and 'B' to the freedom struggle.
Imagine you are a young boy of 10 years living in Kolkata in 1905. Describe the Anti-Partition Movement as you saw it.
What would have happened in case the Surat Split did not occur and the Assertive Nationalists were suppressed?