Children must lead 'vocal for local' movement: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, January 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to children to lead the ‘vocal for local’ and ‘self-reliant India’ campaigns by drawing a list of foreign-made household items and urging their families to buy Indian.

After conferring digital National Children’s Awards for 2021 and 2022 using block chain technology developed by IIT Delhi, the PM credited children for the success of Clean India campaign asking them to become ambassadors for the ‘vocal for local’ mission now.

He hailed the children for their scientific temper noting that 4 crore of the 7.4 crore eligible 15 to 18 year olds had already received the first dose of Covid vaccine since the drive to cover them started on January 3.

“Today I am seeking the support of India’s children on one more issue. I am sure my child army will help me. Just like you led the Swachh Bharat campaign, please also take the lead in vocal for local movement. Make a list of household things and see how many of these are foreign made. Then insist upon your families to buy India-made products. This will boost local production, give a fillip to jobs, improve living standards of people and power the self-reliant India movement,” the PM told the awardees asking them to take inspiration from the past, fulfil goals of the present and dream new dreams for the future with an eye on 25 years later when India will celebrate 100years of independence.

Congratulating the awardees (32 children for 2021 and 29 for 2022), the PM urged the children to read the life story of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons who displayed great valourto protect national pride.

“The sahibzadas were very young when they sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. To honour their memory we have dedicated December 26 as Veer Bal Divas,” the PM said.

He also pointed to the magnificence of the occasion of National Children's Awards which are timed with national celebrations of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and said,“With these Awards comes great responsibility. You must not get overwhelmed by rising expectations. You must take inspiration from them."

The PM hoped children’s dreams today will align with those of India and they will set new milestones in the path of national development.

“You have a unique opportunity to sow what you reap,” the prime minister added, hailing the leadership Indian youth is providing to startups worldwide.

He also spoke of how top global firms were today headed by India-born youth and saluted the potential of India's yougsters.

Noting that the youth are at the centre of all government policies, the PM said Indian players were now attaining heights one considered impossible; girls were doing wonders in sectors where they were earlier barred and youth would soon power the Chandrayaan mission.

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