Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce by Swadeshi Movement and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
• State their economic goals
• Mention their strategies with examples
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The pursuit of economic self-sufficiency is a persistent theme in India's history. The Swadeshi movement and the contemporary attempts to promote self-reliance, such as the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, share some common economic goals, but also have notable differences in their historical context and strategic methods.

Body

Economic Goals:

• Swadeshi Movement: Primarily aimed to weaken the British economic hold on India.
  • This involved boycotting British goods, promoting indigenous industries, and reviving traditional crafts.
  • It was a form of protest against colonial exploitation as a part of the Indian Independence Movement.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: Focuses on making India a self-reliant and globally competitive nation.
  • It aims to reduce dependence on imports, boost domestic manufacturing, resist global economic shocks and strengthen key sectors.
  • It's driven by a desire for economic security and growth.

Strategies:

• Swadeshi Movement:
  • Boycott of British goods, e.g., the burning of British-made clothes and the boycott of British textiles, as demonstrated during the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922).
  • Promotion of indigenous products, e.g., the promotion of khadi and the establishment of the All India Spinners' Association by Mahatma Gandhi to encourage the use of Indian-made goods.
  • Reviving and promoting indigenous industries, particularly textiles, e.g., the Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1917 to protest against the exploitation of textile workers by British mill owners.
  • Emphasis on self-reliance, e.g., the promotion of the "Swadeshi Andolan" by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, which advocated for promotion of indigenous products.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat:
  • Import substitution, e.g Atmanirbhar Bharat Package announced during the Covid-19 pandemic to promote self-reliance and reduce import dependence.
  • Incentives and policy reforms, e.g., the reduction of corporate tax rates and the introduction of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme to boost exports.
  • Developing supply chains, e.g., the National Logistics Policy to streamline supply chains and reduce logistics costs, promoting local sourcing and reducing reliance on global supply chains.
  • Skill development and innovation, e.g., the Startup India initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, and the Atal Innovation Mission to promote innovation and entrepreneurship culture in schools and universities.

Conclusion

The Swadeshi movement and Atmanirbhar Bharat, though separated by a near-century, share the core ideal of “India First” and Economic Self-reliance. While their methods differ, both movements highlight the importance of fostering domestic production and reducing dependence on external forces.