Jammu, December 24, 2025:The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday organized a vibrant Swadeshi Mela at Bahu Plaza, Jammu, with the objective of promoting indigenously manufactured products, empowering local artisans, traders and entrepreneurs, and strengthening the spirit of Atmanirbharta and Swadeshi among the masses.
The event was attended by J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, J&K BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, along with BJP Vice-Presidents Priya Sethi, Rajiv Charak, Rakesh Mahajan, Rekha Mahajan, Rashpaul Verma, General Secretaries Sanjita Dogra, Baldev Singh Billawaria, Gopal Mahajan, Secretaries Reema Padha and Arun Sharma, District President Naresh Singh Jasrotia, senior leaders Adv. Rajesh Gupta, Nand Kishore and Rinku Choudhary, and MLAs Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, Surjit Singh Salthia, Chander Prakash Ganga, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Yudhvir Sethi, Arvind Gupta, Prof. Gharu Ram and Dr. Rajiv, besides a large number of party functionaries and citizens.
The programme commenced with the lighting of traditional lamps by the dignitaries. Priya Sethi, Vice-President, J&K BJP, was the Programme Incharge, while the event was organized by the Jammu South District team. The Swadeshi Mela also featured cultural performances by local folk artists and singers, showcasing Jammu’s rich cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Sat Sharma said that Swadeshi is not merely an economic concept but a national duty and a people’s movement. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has embarked on a transformative journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, with indigenous manufacturing, innovation and entrepreneurship emerging as key drivers of national growth.
“Every Swadeshi product used by an Indian household strengthens the nation’s economy, empowers local workers and enhances India’s self-reliance,” Sat Sharma said, urging citizens to consciously prefer Indian-made products in their daily lives. He added that the BJP-led government has transformed India into a confident global player, with indigenous capabilities visible across defence, infrastructure, space, science, healthcare and technology. He stressed that the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047 can be achieved only when Swadeshi becomes a mass movement.
Ashok Koul highlighted the importance of cultural pride and self-belief, stating that Atmanirbharta begins with the spirit of ‘Swa’—self-pride, self-confidence and self-belief. He emphasized the need to respect and promote indigenous products, languages and culture as the foundation of national strength. Recalling the contribution of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he noted the inclusion of the Dogri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution as a reflection of BJP’s commitment to cultural identity and inclusive development.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India’s growing global stature is a result of decisive action and tangible outcomes in the direction of Atmanirbharta. He highlighted India’s indigenous defence capabilities, stating that Indian-built firepower effectively countered hostile forces during Operation Sindoor. Dr. Singh also pointed out that the world is increasingly looking towards India in sectors such as space science, satellite launches, advanced medicine and biotechnology, adding that India’s humanitarian outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic further enhanced its global credibility.
MP Jugal Kishore Sharma emphasized grassroots economic empowerment, stating that the Swadeshi movement directly strengthens the local economy by ensuring that money circulates within Indian markets. He said that initiatives such as Vocal for Local, Make in India and Startup India have created new opportunities for artisans, traders, farmers, women self-help groups and startups. He urged people to actively support Swadeshi products and become stakeholders in the journey towards a self-reliant and developed India.
