TFP Bureau, Raipur, November 15, 2025: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai on Saturday visited the seven-day Swadeshi Mela at the Science College Grounds in Bilaspur, calling it a celebration of identity, self-respect and the state’s cultural strength. He was accorded a warm welcome by members of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Bilaspur, before offering floral tributes to the photographs of Bharat Mata, Lord Birsa Munda and Rashtrarishi Dattopant Thengadi.
The Chief Minister visited several stalls at the fair, appreciating the craftsmanship and innovation displayed by artisans, self-help groups and young entrepreneurs. He said that the Swadeshi Mela provides an important platform for nurturing local talent, sustaining traditional crafts and strengthening the state’s economic foundation through indigenous products.
More than 300 stalls have been set up this year, showcasing a wide range of traditional and modern Swadeshi goods. Handicrafts, silk textiles, dhokra and bell metal artefacts, home décor items, organic products and regional cuisine drew enthusiastic participation from visitors. The diversity and quality of handmade items continued to be a major attraction at the fair.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the Swadeshi Mela in Bilaspur—Chhattisgarh’s judicial capital—is not merely an exhibition but a reaffirmation of cultural identity. He paid tribute to Dattopant Thengadi, founder of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, noting the organisation’s sustained efforts to take the Swadeshi message to the masses. He highlighted that for the first time, a Swadeshi Mela was organised in Bastar this year, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Recalling history, Shri Sai said that the idea of Swadeshi was given momentum by India’s freedom fighters, with Mahatma Gandhi transforming it into a mass movement through the spinning wheel. He said Swadeshi connects citizens to their roots and strengthens the soul of the nation. After 2014, he noted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revived the Swadeshi ethos by promoting ‘Vocal for Local’, the Self-Reliant India campaign, Make in India and nationwide skill development initiatives. These measures opened new avenues of employment and boosted indigenous production.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to avoid foreign products, saying that money spent on imports weakens the national economy. He appealed to traders to prominently display and prioritise Indian-made goods in their shops. Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s growing reputation, he said Kosa silk, dhokra craft and Bastar’s bell metal are gaining recognition in global markets, while self-help groups across the state are producing high-quality goods with rising demand.
He announced that a Unity Mall is being constructed in the state to promote and market local products, offering artisans and entrepreneurs a dedicated platform to sell their goods. Swadeshi, he said, is not just an economic principle but a safeguard for cultural preservation, national security and self-sufficiency. Even in a competitive global environment, Swadeshi products are witnessing greater demand, with Chhattisgarh’s traditional industries finding buyers abroad.
Shri Sai said the state government is committed to strengthening local entrepreneurship by offering training, incentives and other support systems to help producers compete in national and international markets. Calling for a collective pledge of “Swadeshi in every home, Swadeshi in every hand,” he said this movement would pave the way for a self-reliant India, a stronger Chhattisgarh and a prosperous society. He thanked the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, entrepreneurs, self-help groups, cottage industries and consumers for making the fair a success.
At the event, the Chief Minister also distributed the first instalment of loans to four beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu commended the Swadeshi Jagran Manch for its dedication and continuity, noting that over the past 15 years the event has evolved into a major cultural and economic fair. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India emphasises the use of indigenous products, respect for local craftsmanship and cultural independence.
MLA Dharamlal Kaushik said the Swadeshi movement played a decisive role in India’s freedom struggle, recalling how Mahatma Gandhi inspired the country by burning foreign clothes and promoting Indian-made goods.
MLA Amar Agarwal said the Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s initiative, launched in 1991, has become the backbone of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. He said the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047 can only be achieved when citizens adopt Swadeshi products as a part of their daily lives.
The event concluded with the presentation of mementos to the guests. Reception Committee Chairman Praveen Jha delivered the welcome address, while Subrata Chaki introduced the Swadeshi Mela.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw, MLAs Dharamjeet Singh and Sushant Shukla, senior officers including Divisional Commissioner Sunil Jain, IG Sanjeev Shukla, Collector Sanjay Agarwal and SSP Rajnesh Singh, along with public representatives and a large number of visitors, attended the event.
