‘Don’t marry abroad, avoid gold purchases’: Modi renews swadeshi appeal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Indians to avoid unnecessary overseas travel, refrain from holding weddings abroad and limit gold purchases unless essential, as he called for greater emphasis on self-reliance and Indian-made products.

Modi, who is in Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit during his visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, made the remarks in a selfie-style video message while congratulating the country on recording 7.8% economic growth.

“If you are going abroad for leisure, you should not go. If you are getting married abroad, you should not do so. And if it is not necessary, you should not buy gold either,” Modi said.

He urged citizens to give greater priority to “swadeshi” products and self-reliance, saying he believed India would present a developed nation to its younger generation when it completes 100 years of independence.

Modi takes swipe at critics

Modi said India was continuing to grow rapidly despite global uncertainty, wars, crises and supply-chain disruptions. He also took an apparent swipe at critics whom he accused of spreading pessimism and misinformation.

“India is progressing rapidly. On the other hand, within India too, people drowned in an atmosphere of despair are engaged in spreading ‘jhooth ki goonj’ all around,” he said, adding that India had overcome multiple challenges to achieve 7.8% growth.

The phrase “jhooth ki goonj” appeared to be a veiled reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign, which focuses on issues including paper leaks, unemployment and the education system.

‘Dreams of young generation will be fulfilled’

Modi said the efforts being made today would help fulfil the aspirations of India’s youth.

“We will fulfil the dreams of our young generation through our hard work today,” he said.

He also urged citizens to continue contributing to the country’s development, saying the government’s policies and intentions were on the right track.

“Our policy is right, our intention is clear, and the strength of 140 crore countrymen, coming together today, is taking the country to new heights,” Modi said.

Modi’s earlier austerity appeal

The latest appeal echoes remarks Modi made in May, when he urged Indians to conserve fuel, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, limit gold purchases and promote Indian-made goods.

Those comments came amid the US-Israel war with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies.

Modi at SCO summit in Bishkek

Modi arrived at Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek on Tuesday to attend the 26th SCO Summit, hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov.

The summit brings together leaders of the 10 SCO member states, including Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The meeting is also being held in the expanded “SCO Plus” format, with leaders from partner countries and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attending.

Modi is expected to address the summit. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.