He also highlighted community-led environmental conservation, traditional skills, organic farming, and advances in healthcare and brain research.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to prioritise products made by local artisans during the festive season, highlighting the role of the “Vocal for Local” movement in building an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, as he marked the 12th anniversary of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.
Turning to traditional skills, Modi highlighted the work of the non-profit Kheti Virasat Mission in Punjab’s Malwa region, where its Nav-Trinjan initiative promotes organic cotton cultivation, including naturally coloured cotton that does not require chemical dyes. The initiative has also set up a weaving school to pass on the craft to younger generations and help women earn a livelihood. He cited the examples of women who had moved from agricultural labour and domestic work to weaving shawls, towels and other textiles. Highlighting efforts to revive millet cultivation in the Northeast, he cited two women in Meghalaya’s Khanduli village who developed cookies, cakes, muffins and baby food from millets, helping increase demand for the crop. He also cited efforts to revive the Heval river in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal region, where declining water levels and drying natural springs had prompted villagers and the local administration to work together. “Measures were undertaken to capture rainwater, facilitate groundwater recharge and plant a large number of trees. He pointed to the tribal community’s initiative, Shabari Naturals, in Maharashtra, where tribal products such as honey, mahua, chironji and bamboo goods are sold in packaging inspired by tribal art.
In Nagaland’s Kezoma, cultivation resumed in 2024 after more than a decade, followed by the village’s first millet festival in 2025, he said.
In the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi described the monthly broadcast as a “pilgrimage” to understand people’s efforts and salute their contributions. He said it had brought to the fore individuals whose work often went unnoticed and offered an opportunity to salute the “collective strength of the people”. One trainee, Rekha Rani, had never seen a handloom before her training, he said, adding that a shawl woven by her had been presented to President Droupadi Murmu. Emphasising “Vocal for Local”, the PM said Indian products were reaching new international markets, citing makhana from Bihar’s Purnia being exported to Greece and arhar dal from Karnataka’s Kalaburagi reaching the Maldives. The packaging has received Japan’s Good Design Award, he said.
Today, thanks to these efforts, the Heval river has been revitalized and simultaneously dozens of natural water sources have received help in their restoration,” Modi said.
