Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission towards Self-reliant Nation

-- Aylin Sara Shibu, 8-D, Indian Central School

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme was launched on 12 May 2020, by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making India a self-reliant nation. The first mention of the Atmanirbhar Bharat is in the form of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan during the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic related economic package which included RS.20 lakh crore package and a number of reform proposals. The detailed announcements were made in five days’ relief package by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaaraman to mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

The main reason behind the scheme was covid 19 in which many people lost their jobs and labourers and to make India a self-reliant and globally competitive economy. This scheme will run under the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Electronics and IT.

To achieve these goals, the government has introduced various policy measures and reforms. This includes the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) which provides incentives to manufacturers in sectors such as electronics and pharmaceuticals. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission focuses on five key pillars - Economy, Infrastructure, Technology-driven systems, Vibrant demography, and Demand.

These pillars will serve as the foundation for a self-reliant India, providing opportunities for growth, development, and prosperity for all Indians. It was launched to encourage Indians to step into self-development through their talent and knowledge. The definition of self-reliance has changed in global world and it is different from being self-centred.

India’s fundamental thinking and tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” provides a ray of hope to the world. However, becoming self-reliant does not mean isolating ourselves from the world. It means integrating our strengths, resources, and capabilities to become a global player.

The slogan of Atmanirbhar Bharat is vocal for local which means local products and the campaign urges Indians to support local products, fostering economic growth and self-reliance. One of the most significant aspects of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission is its emphasis on creating a strong economy. India showed the independent skill of manufacturing PPE by growth of this sector from zero to 1,50,000 pieces a day by the beginning of May and the PPE industry in India has grown sat Rs. 7,000 crores in only two months and become the second largest producer of PPE kit. A package of 20 lakh crore rupees was announced in this scheme to help people and has gained attention and support from various sectors and stakeholders. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission is a call for all Indians to come together and work towards making our nation self-sufficient.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat is an important mission for the economic revival and progress of the Indian economy during lockdown and it has gained popularity for reintroduction of the idea of Swaraj as a tool for the post-pandemic Indian economy.

Aylin Sara Shibu, 8-D, Indian Central School