Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent clarion call for ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi’ has echoed throughout our nation, touching a chord with 1.4 billion Indians. PM Modi has been steadfastly pioneering the cause of Atmanirbharta [self-reliance] as the bedrock of national strength in realizing a Viksit Bharat [Developed India].

On August 7th, 2015, PM Modi celebrated the first National Handloom Day in Tamil Nadu, honouring the weaving community and underlining its sterling contribution to India’s socio-economic development. Both the date and place carried a special significance.

On the same date in 1905, the Swadeshi (one’s own country) Movement to boycott foreign goods and inspire self-reliance had formally commenced in Calcutta in response to the Partition of Bengal. Nationalist VO Chidambaram Pillai hailing from Tamilnadu played an eminent role in this movement. In 1906, he founded the Swadeshi Steam navigation company and launched the first indigenous shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo.

Leaders like Bal........

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