Rekha inaugurates Swadeshi Utsav, urges residents to awaken industrial soldier within
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated the Swadeshi Utsav 2025 at Kartavya Path, India Gate, calling upon citizens to “awaken the industrial soldier within” and make Swadeshi the nation’s “weapon for self-reliance.”
Organised by the Delhi Government’s Department of Industries and the DSIIDC, the three-day festival (October 9–11) celebrates the spirit of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat, with the theme “Swadeshi – Substitution of Foreign Made Goods with Swadeshi Goods.”
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gupta said Swadeshi was not just an idea but India’s greatest strength. “It won us freedom and continues to empower us economically. Every Indian must recognise the ‘industrial soldier’ within — one who protects the nation’s economic frontiers through hard work and dedication,” she said.
She emphasised that the Swadeshi movement must move beyond symbolism. “These campaigns are not limited to diyas or handicrafts—their purpose is to give Indian brands global recognition across every sector. The time has come to take pride not in foreign labels but in our own creations. Let us wear, use, and celebrate Indian products,” she said.
Gupta added that self-reliance should be built on the quality and credibility of Indian goods. “When ‘Made in India’ becomes a mark of excellence and trust, India will truly be called Vishwaguru,” she said, recalling the country’s resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic. “When the world came to a standstill, India not only met its own needs but helped others—that is true self-reliance,” she said.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to promote local industries and crafts in every district under the ‘One District One Product’ model to give Delhi a distinct industrial identity and global recognition. “Buying Swadeshi products this Diwali is not just an act of economic support—it is an expression of patriotism,” she said. “To adopt Swadeshi is to serve the nation in its truest sense.”
Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who also addressed the gathering, said the Delhi Government was turning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ vision into a mass movement. “Across Delhi, people are now asking before purchasing: ‘Is it Swadeshi?’ This transformation shows the rise of a new national consciousness,” he said. “By choosing Swadeshi, citizens are strengthening India’s economy and the spirit of self-reliance.”
The Swadeshi Utsav 2025 features over 100 exhibition stalls by MSMEs, artisans, self-help groups, ODOP exporters and women entrepreneurs. The event also includes food courts offering traditional Indian cuisines, cultural performances, and panel discussions with industry leaders from CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI, SIDBI and the Chamber of Indian MSME. The festival will continue till October 11.
To observe first Karwa Chauth as CM with women from across Capital
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will celebrate Karwa Chauth with women from across the Capital at the Chief Minister Jan Seva Sadan on Friday. This will be her first Karwa Chauth celebration as Chief Minister, an occasion she described as deeply emotional and personally significant.
The CM said she was looking forward to joining women in observing the cherished festival that symbolised devotion, love and togetherness. “Karwa Chauth holds a special place in every Indian woman’s heart. It represents faith, family and the sacred bond of marriage,” she said, adding that the festival reflects the strength of Indian traditions that continue to unite families and communities.
The celebration will bring together women from diverse walks of life, including women legislators, wives of Members of Parliament, senior women officers, social workers and members of the Chief Minister’s own family. Sharing her long association with the festival, CM Gupta said she has been hosting Karwa Chauth gatherings for nearly fifteen years in different parts of Delhi.
Delhi