Full Breakdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Calls for “Vocal for Local” Ahead of Diwali in 139th Mann Ki Baat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Appeal: Boosting Local Artisans During Festive Shopping
On October 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the 139th edition of *Mann Ki Baat* to urge Indian consumers to prioritize products made by local artisans when buying gifts for Diwali and Chhath. He linked the appeal to the Vocal for Local campaign and the broader *Atmanirbhar Bharat* vision.
Background: “Vocal for Local” and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The *Vocal for Local* initiative, launched in 2020, encourages domestic consumption of Indian-made goods to support micro-, small- and medium-enterprises (MSMEs). Modi has repeatedly tied the campaign to *Atmanirbhar Bharat*, which aims to expand indigenous production capacity.
Data & Statistics: Export Reach and Domestic Sales
- Makhana from Purnia, Bihar, is now exported to Greece.
- Arhar dal from Kalaburagi, Karnataka, is being shipped to the Maldives.
- Sales of Khadi Gram Udyog products reached INR28 crore on Gandhi Jayanti, INR1.5 crore higher than the previous year.
- The e-Sanjeevani tele-medicine platform recorded nearly 50 crore tele-consultations since launch.
All figures were presented by Modi during the broadcast.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi highlighted several complementary themes:
- Packaging as a market driver – Attractive packaging helps consumers notice products and learn more about them.
- Traditional farming revival – He praised the Nav-Trinjan programme of the Kheti Virasat Mission in Punjab’s Malwa region for promoting organic cotton and establishing a weaving school that trains women in handloom skills.
- River-revival effort – In Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, rain-water capture, groundwater recharge and large-scale tree planting have given the Heval river a “new lease of life.”
- Cleanliness drives – Ahead of the festivals, he called for community-wide cleanliness campaigns.
- Deep-tech and research – Modi referenced the inauguration of the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, which uses the Param Shakti supercomputer for high-resolution 3-D brain imaging, and highlighted start-ups working on AI-assisted cervical-cancer screening, gold-quality verification, and electric-vehicle technologies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can imagine how great a help this is for the environment. Friends, a few years ago, 'Nav-Trinjan' also started a weaving school with the goal of passing on the skill of weaving to the new generation,” — PM Modi
- “Measures were undertaken to capture rainwater, facilitate groundwater recharge and plant a large number of trees. Today, thanks to these efforts, the Heval river has been revitalized and simultaneously dozens of natural water sources have received help in their restoration,” — PM Modi
- “During this festive season, you must all have noticed a change around you. Now people have started giving a lot of importance to indigenous products while shopping. This spirit of 'Vocal for Local' is taking our products to markets around the world,” — PM Modi
What’s Next
The appeal coincides with the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, during which nationwide cleanliness drives and *Vocal for Local* promotional activities are expected to intensify. No further scheduled events were detailed beyond the ongoing campaign.