Jammu, Mar 01: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday offered three principles to strengthen the Made in India and Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative – Quality, Innovation, and Reliability. These three mantras, he said, must become the new identity of the domestic manufacturing sector.
“I view Swadeshi Apnao (Embrace Swadeshi) not as a slogan, but a way of life. I urge people of Jammu Kashmir and across the country- let it shape our daily habits,” the Lieutenant Governor said while speaking at Atma-Nirbar Bharat event organised by Federation of Trade & Industry of India (FTII). He felicitated the recipients of Vyapar Ratan Awards for their significant contribution.
The Lt Governor spoke on fortifying domestic manufacturing prowess, and said “Made in India” goods translate to surging Indian jobs and a resilient economy.
“Atma-Nirbhar Bharat is a national awakening. It is an economic revolution propelled by Industry’s might. ‘Made in India’ now symbolises trust in global trade. We must ensure that when someone, anywhere in the world, sees ‘Made in India’ on a product, it inspires confidence,” he said.
Sinha said that India began scripting a new chapter in 2014, forging a new path to self-reliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India did not follow a predetermined path, but it built its own.
“India resolved to rise not ordinary, but empowered. Today, it is witnessing a genuine economic renaissance. Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. They embody hope for millions of families and businesses,” he said. “Spread across every district and every town of this country, MSMEs innovate even under the constraint of limited resources. And that is why when we purchase a product from a small enterprise, we are not simply buying a commodity- we are securing the future of a family, and giving birth to employment, skill and opportunity.”
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that every stakeholder must understand that trade is not merely the act of buying and selling. He said that Trade must be viewed as the flow of opportunity. He said that small-scale and micro-enterprises now anchor J&K’s economy.
He highlighted the efforts that have revolutionised work in villages and towns, instituting ease of living and ease of doing business, vowing to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a genuine market powerhouse.
“We have crafted fresh opportunities for youth and women, starting thousands of small and micro manufacturing ventures that sustain families, stabilise society, and are now shaping the Jammu Kashmir business landscape,” Sinha said.
The LG added, “The winds of change stir palpably in Jammu and Kashmir too. Post-2019’s historic shift, revolutionary strides reshaped industrial growth and MSMEs. The new industrial policy earned the Union Territory its place among the most preferred investment destinations in the country.”
Sinha further emphasised the necessity of rapid economic growth and the implementation of technological solutions to ensure a transparent, corruption-free system. He urged every section of society to remain vigilant against elements trying to radicalise the youth and making efforts to sustain the terror ecosystem.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on meritocracy and called for collective action to achieve a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. He said the number of stakeholders in peace has grown significantly over the last few years, with a vast majority of the population now prioritising stability and prosperity.
“Today, J&K has emerged as a top performer in national integration programmes like Vande Mataram. Those dreaming of disrupting this progress must wake up to the new reality,” the LG added.
Er Gulam Ali Khatana, Member of Parliament, Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs; Sunil Singhi, Chairman, National Traders Welfare Board (NTWB); Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Dr Sanjay Bansal, Member, NTWB and National President, Federation of Trade & Industry of India (FTII); Business & Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, members of FTII; representatives of various trade organisations and senior officials were present.
