PM Modi hails India’s achievement of $ 400 bn export target

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday exuded pride that India achieved the export target of 400 billion dollars. In the 87th episode of Mann Ki Baat, on AIR,Modi said this was possible only due to the “hard work” put in by farmers, artisans, weavers, engineers, small entrepreneurs and the MSME sector. Modi said Made in India products are now reaching new markets in every corner of the world. He pointed out that when Indians become Vocal for Local, the Local becomes Global. He asked people to make the local ‘global’ and augment the prestige of Indian products further.

The first consignment of millets grown in Himachal and Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark. Bainganapalli and Subarnarekha mangoes from Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh were exported to South Korea. Fresh jackfruit from Tripura were exported to London by air and, for the first time, king chillies from Nagaland were dispatched to London. Similarly, the first consignment of Bhalia wheat was exported from Gujarat to Kenya and Sri Lanka, Modi said.  He highlighted that the exports of leather products from Hailakandi in Assam, handloom products from Osmanabad, fruits and vegetables from Bijapur and black rice from Chandauli are increasing. The world-famous Apricot of Ladakh has reached the markets of Dubai and bananas are being shipped from Tamil Nadu to Saudi Arabia.

Modi also said that lifestyles which included yoga and ayurveda were picking up globally and that the Ayush manufacturing industry has grown exponentially from Rs 22,000 crore six years ago to Rs 1,40,000 crore. Ayush was also becoming a desirable destination for the start-up sector, he pointed out.Close to 1.25 lakh small entrepreneurs, and small shopkeepers from every corner of the country have sold their goods directly to the government. Modi said there was a time when only big companies could sell goods to the government but that is changing now. He said even the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one’s goods to the government on the GeM Portal now. He said New India not only dreams big, but also shows the courage to reach that goal. Prime Minister spoke of Padmashree awardee Baba Sivanand. He said everyone was surprised to see the agility of 126-year-old Baba Sivanand at the Padma Awards. He said the age of 126 years and the fitness of Baba Sivanand are the subject of discussion in the country today. Modi said the life of Baba Sivanand is an inspiration for all people to follow a healthy lifestyle.