India no longer dependent on others, now self-reliant in all sectors: Ratan

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Saturday said India is no longer dependent on others as the country has achieved self-reliance in every sector.

Addressing the Swadeshi Mela 2026 at Swami Vivekananda Maidan here, Nath said the situation has changed significantly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Today India says ‘we can do it’, and that confidence is reflected in the Swadeshi Mela. Earlier, India had to listen to others; now India speaks and the world listens. The country is self-reliant in agriculture, industry, science and technology. India is different today and is showing the way to the world,” he said.

The minister said this transformation has been made possible by the hard work of common people, the toil of farmers, the contribution of workers, the competence of youth and the role of mothers.

He said the use of Swadeshi products ensures that money remains within the country, industries grow and poverty is reduced. “We do not want a kind of politics that neglects farmers, workers and youth. We want politics that promotes industries in villages, empowers women and provides employment to the youth. The Swadeshi Mela is an example of this vision. Swadeshi means moving forward with confidence,” Nath said.

Highlighting the importance of the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, he said the state’s Swadeshi platform had recorded steady growth.

Sales stood at Rs 8.69 crore in 2024–25 and Rs 7.77 crore in 2025–26, compared to around Rs 3.50 crore annually before 2018.

The minister also said Tripura currently has 54,627 Self Help Groups with a total membership of 4.89 lakh. Before 2018, around 3,506 groups had received revolving funds amounting to Rs 4.26 crore, while the present government has extended Rs 75 crore to 36,530 groups. “This is the true example of self-reliance and the essence of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’,” he added, urging people to support SHGs, startups and pledge to use Swadeshi products.

Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, Chief Whip and MLA Kalyani Saha Roy, Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, among others, were present on the occasion.