Did you buy something local on Diwali? Not just diyas, but gifts, jewelry, sweets, chocolates, Diwali lights, electronics, gadgets, appliances, and the list goes on. Did you check or planning to see if the product you are eyeing was made in India or not? Did you try to buy something additional this Diwali just to promote someone local?
Did you post something that you purchased locally with the hashtag #Local4Diwali? If yes, then you are a part of a mass movement across the country to promote local products.
मेरा आग्रह है कि वोकल फॉर लोकल के साथ ही #Local4Diwali को भी खूब प्रमोट करें।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2020
इससे स्थानीय पहचान तो मजबूत होगी ही, जो लोग ये सामान बनाते हैं, उनकी दिवाली भी रोशन हो जाएगी।
मेरे देश के लोग जो पसीना बहा रहे हैं, कुछ न कुछ नया कर रहे हैं, उनका हाथ थामना हम सबका दायित्व है। pic.twitter.com/tihdvSgNnN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the people of India to buy locally as much as possible. The idea is to promote small manufacturers, retailers, shopkeepers, etc. to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ or self-sufficient. India needs a continuous movement to promote local goods and services if we want to become financially better than other countries and stand tall with the developed nations. With 1.3 billion people and growing, India has one of the highest purchasing power in the world, and it is essential for the progress of the country that we try to go local.
PM Modi’s call for “Local For Diwali”
In his recent addresses to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on shifting the purchasing power to local products as much as possible. He said, “I request to promote #Local4Diwali with #Vocal4Local. This will not only strengthen the local identity, but also make Diwali celebrations of the people who make these goods worth. The people of my country are giving their sweat and blood, doing something new, it is our responsibility to hold their hands.”
Following his call for buying local products, several ministers, celebrities and brands have started promoting the movement and urging people to buy local products. Leaders including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Home Minister Amit Shah, Textile Minister Smriti Irani, and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, among others, have shared tweets promoting local products.
This Deepawali, let us come together to realise PM @narendramodi ji’s call for #Local4Diwali.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 9, 2020
Our small support for local products, handicrafts and businesses in these challenging times will surely light up the lives of millions of Indians this festive season. pic.twitter.com/fWRixmlJj6
आइए, इस दिवाली #Local4Diwali को प्रमोट करें।
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) November 9, 2020
प्रत्येक व्यक्ति गर्व के साथ लोकल सामान खरीदे तथा लोकल की चर्चा करे।
जब नए लोगों तक यह बात पहुंचेगी तो स्थानीय पहचान मजबूत होने के साथ ही इन सामानों को बनाने वाले लोगों की दीवाली और रोशन हो जाएगी।@UP_ODOP pic.twitter.com/DEp4omPdDn
This Diwali, let us all support PM @NarendraModi ji’s clarion call to go Vocal for Local!
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 9, 2020
Buy local products and bring happiness to our hard-working artisans & craftsmen.#Local4Diwali pic.twitter.com/BzXrjkolOv
Chief Minister of Tripura shared bamboo products’ images, including diyas and gift items made by local artisans.
Let us celebrate our favourite #Diwali by going local.
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) November 9, 2020
Inspired by the clarion call by PM @narendramodi ji, let us extend our full support for #local artisans & businesses.
May it be
– Bringing diyas to light your homes or
– Getting gifts for your loved ones,
Go #Local4Diwali. pic.twitter.com/StBbCmyyDp
Smriti Irani, who had shared contact details of several artisans on Handloom day in August, urged people to share photos of local purchases and promote the cause. She shared a beautiful video in which people were seen promoting local products. She said, “Help local craftsmen and businesses to prosper & support ‘Local for Vocal’ movement for an ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ as envisaged by PM Narendra Modi Ji.”
#Local4Diwali – This Diwali pledge to buy local!
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 9, 2020
Help local craftsmen and businesses to prosper & support ‘Local for Vocal’ movement for an ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ as envisaged by PM @narendramodi Ji. pic.twitter.com/fM1MKkwuVG
Celebrities and brands supporting the cause
Several brands have come forward to support the cause of promoting local purchases. One of the campaigns that stood out was by Cadbury’s. They launched an advertisement that uses the latest technology to find out where the viewer is from and promote local stores accordingly. As most of the local retailers were not available on online platforms, Cadbury made a database of them and added all the required info so that their system can pick the right retailer. Being an international brand, they found a way to connect to the people of India and found a silver lining in the pandemic.
Karan Johar shared a post on Twitter urging people to buy local this Diwali. He shared a heartwarming note and urged everyone to share photos of the purchases and use the #Local4Diwali hashtag. Ohter celebrities have also chipped in.
Happy Diwali!!!! pic.twitter.com/F7OrFIVZxg
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) November 9, 2020
Several small and big brands join the cause and become a part of the movement on every platform. Let it be Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube, you will find many brands showcasing their best products and services while promoting other brands too.
In the time of the pandemic, everyone needs help to get back on their feet. With Prime Minister Modi giving a much-need shoutout to the local vendors, manufacturers and retailers, everyone has understood the need to go local and echo for local brands. So, did you buy anything local this Diwali?
