‘Don’t buy gold, don’t marry abroad’: PM Modi revives swadeshi pitch after India posts 7.8 per cent GDP growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Indians to avoid unnecessary foreign travel weddings abroad and purchases of gold linking his appeal to the broader push for selfreliance and greater use of domestically produced goodsIn a selfiestyle video message shared on social media PM Modi congratulated the country on recording 78 per cent economic growth and said sustaining the momentum would require a stronger focus on domestic production and selfreliance78 growth Strong numbers Even stronger confidence pictwittercomZVPpnAXrVUmdash Narendra Modi narendramodi September 1 2026The Prime Minister who was in Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit also took a veiled swipe at his political critics accusing some people of spreading negativity despite the countrys economic performancePM urges people to cut unnecessary spending abroadModi reiterated his governments emphasis on building a selfreliant India and encouraging consumers to support domestic products and businessesIf you are going to any foreign country then stop If you are getting married abroad then you should stop it We should live by the mantra of Wed in India If it is not necessary then we should not buy gold he saidHe argued that a greater emphasis on domestic production and selfreliance would be necessary to meet Indias longterm development goalsThe more we emphasise Swadeshi and Atmanirbharta I am firmly convinced that when 100 years of independence are completed we will hand over a Viksit Bharat to our youth he addedModi links selfreliance to Indias longterm growthThe Prime Ministers remarks came after India recorded 78 per cent GDP growth a figure that he said reflected the collective efforts and determination of the countrys peopleModi shared the video with the caption 78 per cent growth Strong numbers Even stronger confidenceHe said India had continued to make economic progress despite global uncertainty wars and disruptions to supply chainsMany congratulations to the countrymen 78 per cent growth The country is filled with joy But I congratulate the countrymen for their willpower for their hard work it is a reflection of collective strength The world is engulfed in war news of war is coming from all around Surrounded by global crises supply chains are completely disturbed From the Covid period in 2020 until now nowhere is stability visible Despite that India is progressing at a fast pace he saidPrime Minister takes veiled swipe at criticsModi also appeared to target the Opposition and other critics saying some people in India were continuing to spread negativity and falsehood despite the countrys economic growthOn the other hand inside India too people immersed in the depth of despair Jhooth Ki Goonj are engaged in spreading despair all around Crossing all these things piercing through all those matters the country has achieved 78 per cent growth We have to maintain this speed we also have to grow the Prime Minister addedHis reference to Jhooth Ki Goonj came amid a political row surrounding Rahul Gandhis Chhatron Ki Goonj campaignBJP has used phrase in attacks on Rahul Gandhi campaignThe BJP has also invoked the phrase while criticising Gandhis campaign alleging that several statements made by the Congress leader at events associated with the initiative were inaccurateThe party has claimed that out of 40 statements made by Gandhi across four separate events linked to the campaign 29 were false and 11 were misleadingThe allegations have added to the continuing political exchange between the BJP and the Opposition with Modis latest remarks appearing to link the governments economic narrative with his criticism of those questioning its performanceEconomic growth forms backdrop to selfreliance pushModis renewed call for selfreliance places domestic consumption and locally produced goods at the centre of his broader economic message following the latest GDP figuresHis appeal to avoid foreign holidays and overseas weddings along with the suggestion to limit nonessential gold purchases reflects the governments continuing effort to encourage spending within the domestic economyThe Prime Minister said India would need to maintain its current pace of growth while expanding domestic capabilities to achieve its development goals over the coming decadesWith inputs from Agencies