Modi's schemes new definitions to Gandhian ideas: Amit Shah

Ahemdabad: The Union government's schemes such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local etc., are in line with "Swadeshi" put forward by Mahatma Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah said. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was giving life to long-forgotten ideas of Mahatma Gandhi propagated to rebuild India, PTI reported.

Addressing an event on Sunday that unveiled a mural of Gandhi on his death anniversary, Martyr's Day, in Ahmedabad, Shah said that Gandhi not only fought for India's freedom but also offered ways to rebuild it through swadeshi, satyagraha, swabhasha, sadhan shuddhi, aparigraha (non-possessiveness), prayer, fast and simplicity. Gandhi wished these ideas to be the base on which the newly free country of India should be built.

The concept of economic revival, making it the world's manufacturing hub through atmanirbharata and his appeal to Indian people to use indigenous products, emerged from Gandhi's Swadeshi movement. He continued that Modi's efforts to revive the Khadi helped the KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) a turnover of Rs 95,000 crore. Khadi empowers the poor and is an example of India's self-esteem. He urged Gujarat people to use Khadi clothes and added that Gandhi's ideas behind Khadi are still relevant.

Further, he said that the new education policy (NEP) stemmed from Gandhi's Swabhasha. NEP gives more importance to Indian languages.

Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel were present. The latter said that the mural would continue giving the message of rashtranirman (nation-building).

The unveiled mural was installed by the KVIC on a wall on the Sabarmati riverfront. Made on a 100 sq m aluminium plate, the mural was installed as a tribute to Gandhi in the 74th year of Independence, KVIC said in a statement.