How is the Spinning Wheel Being Reinvented Amidst the Tariff War?

New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) During the inauguration of the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi” (every home self-reliant, every home Swadeshi).

“Mothers and sisters, in order to make Bharat truly self-sufficient, I seek your blessings for this new mantra: Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi. I also encourage every shopkeeper to proudly display a sign that reads: ‘This is Swadeshi’,” he urged.

This proclamation was not made randomly; it was designed to emphasize the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, urging each household to embrace locally produced goods as both a civic duty and a patriotic act.

In a contemporary twist, PM Modi has revitalized Gandhiji’s spinning wheel to promote the message of self-reliance—now infused with slogans, shop-front branding, and digital marketing strategies. This approach transforms every household into a cottage industry, every purchase into a political statement, and every citizen into a guardian of national economic security.

Nearly eight years ago, there was considerable chatter when he was seen spinning the wheel, linked to the government's traditional handloom and cotton sector. Unfortunately, amidst the ensuing political controversies, the core message nearly faded away.

It was not the individual but the emblem that held significance. As a representation of self-reliance, the “charkha” is distinctly Indian—there's no exact translation, with the closest being the spinning wheel.

The Mahatma employed it as a unifying symbol for the nation’s diverse populace. Similarly, PM Modi’s Swadeshi initiative seeks to create a collective identity that associates economic choices with cultural pride, especially amidst current geopolitical trade challenges.

In the backdrop of modern global trade conflicts, self-reliance has resurfaced as a vital theme in national policy, economic strategies, and public discussions. While globalization fostered unprecedented economic integration in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, recent events have seen rising trade disputes, a revival of protectionist policies, and a strategic shift towards economic resilience and independence among various nations.

Gandhiji’s charkha was not merely a tool for producing khadi; it symbolized economic freedom, encouraging every Indian to turn away from imported fabrics and reclaim control over their livelihoods.

By placing the charkha at the forefront of his protest, he transformed the simple act of spinning into a mass movement that unified villages against colonial tariffs and foreign imports.

PM Modi’s modern interpretation of the spinning wheel embodies the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’. In his 125th episode of Mann Ki Baat last Sunday, the Prime Minister passionately urged citizens, “Proclaim with pride ‘this is Swadeshi’, declare with pride ‘this is Swadeshi’, assert with pride ‘this is Swadeshi’. We must advance with this sentiment. One mantra – ‘Vocal for Local’; One path – ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat'; One goal – ‘Developed India’.”

It demands more than a mere photo opportunity at an international gathering; it necessitates genuine effort beyond the usual cordial handshake amidst rising geopolitical frictions.

Now is the time to reinvent the charkha, not merely as a form of protest, but as an instrument for resilience and self-sufficiency.