Page 13 - The Lotus Jan-Feb 2021

by Kushaan Gosalia

Why is Atmanirbhar Bharat important? Multinational Corporations have
Anyone can simply import goods from assumed this role and unfortunately
China at a cheaper rate instead of people are buying goods from these
buying Indian manufactured goods. But companies. People who post videos on
one does not realize that in doing so, Instagram about promoting struggling
they are actually weakening their “dhaba owners” continue to eat
country’s economy. When one imports, at Mcdonald’s and continue to order
instead of dollars coming in we see an pizzas from Dominos. The irony is,
outflow of capital. This over a long Indians do not pride their country
period of time weakens the country’s enough to buy Indian goods. We have
currency and as a result inflation kicks adopted the western lifestyle and as a
in. when Indians buy imported or result imported goods are the trend. It
foreign products, the economy sees a is absolutely necessary for all Indians
slow death. It was for this reason why to buy Indian products and try to
in 2012-2013 we saw immense promote Indian brands as much as
inflation. The rupee began to decline as possible.
a result of imports of cars, luxury If we want to support the nation it
goods and most importantly, oil. starts with supporting each other and
Indian consumers right now need our country’s businesses. If one wants
to support Indian companies and brands to truly promote nationalism and pride,
more than ever before. With the it must start with economic nationalism
economy headed for a recession, it is and a desire to make India
crucial to promote Indian companies “Atmanirbhar” as it makes our country
and shift manufacturing of core stronger economically. As far as
components within the country. In economic recovery goes, one must
order for India to achieve its continue to remain optimistic despite
geopolitical aspirations and become a these tough times. As a young nation, it
ten trillion-dollar economy, it needs the would be an even bigger tragedy if
people of this nation to buy locally negative sentiments prevail. Thus, the
manufactured goods. The people are way our country moves is entirely in
this country’s strength however if the the hands of individuals rather than the
people continue to abandon their government. Whether India rises up to
nation’s goods they become a country’s the occasion or not is solely in the
weakness. Long ago India suffered a hands of the people. If one must grow,
similar fate when Indians chose to buy they must help others grow as well.
British goods and in the bargain took Thus, if the country succeeds, we
their country’s economy back to a succeed. Adam Smith once said, “The
hundred years. Local manufacturers biggest tragedy of nations is the
suffered and had to shut down and the poverty of their aspirations”. Bringing
money made on the sale of these goods this quote to light, it is time for India
was taken to Britain. Today, and Indians to think big and act big.

Kushaan Gosalia from Class 12 C is a
guest contributor for the Lotus. He has
written this article in order to spread
awareness about supporting the local
economy in order to help our country
overcome the economic woes the
pandemic has brought upon it.