Namaskar!

This JITO Connect summit is being held in the 75th year of independence, the Amrit Mahotsav. The country is entering the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence from here onwards. Now the country has a resolve to build a Golden India in the next 25 years. Therefore, the theme that you have decided is also very appropriate in itself-- Together, Towards, Tomorrow! And I can say that this is the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone's effort), which is the mantra of rapid development in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of freedom. May all your efforts in the next three days be towards the all-round and all-pervading development so that not even the last person of the society remains left behind! May this summit continue to strengthen this sentiment! There will be efforts to find solutions to our current and future priorities and challenges during this summit. Many congratulations to all of you and very best wishes!

Friends,

I have been privileged to meet you in person several times. It would have been a pleasure had I met you personally, but I am meeting you virtually this time.

Friends,

I returned yesterday after visiting several European countries and discussing with many people in great detail about India's potential, resolve and opportunities during the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence. I can say that there is a renewed optimism and confidence towards India. Those visiting abroad and those who are settled abroad also experience this. Every Indian, whether in any part of the world or in any corner of India, is feeling proud today. Our self-confidence also gets a new energy and boost from it. Today, the world considers India's development resolutions as a means of achieving its goals. Be it global peace, global prosperity, solutions to global challenges, or empowerment of global supply chain, the world is looking towards India with significant trust.

Friends,

Whether there are people associated with politics, people involved in policy making, or people of a conscious society, or business community, and no matter the areas of expertise, areas of concerns and the difference of opinion, the rise of a new India unites all. Today everyone feels that India is moving beyond probability and potential and performing with purpose for global welfare.

Friends,

I had spoken about clear intentions and favorable policies during my earlier interaction with you. We can experience changes in everyday life due to this mantra in the last eight years. Today the country is encouraging talent, trade and technology as much as it can. Today the country, especially the youth, will be proud that dozens of start-ups are being registered every day and a unicorn is being created every week. Steps such as elimination of thousands of compliances, making life, livelihood and business easier swell the pride of every Indian. Today the tax system in India is faceless, transparent, online, and there is one nation one tax. We are making this dream come true. Today, the country is running production-linked incentive schemes worth lakhs of crores of rupees to promote manufacturing.

Friends,

A good example of transparency in government systems is our government procurement process. Ever since the Government e-Marketplace i.e. GeM portal has come into existence, all the purchases are done on one platform and it is in front of everyone. Now people from remote villages, small shopkeepers and self-help groups can sell their products directly to the government. And here are people who have business in their DNA. Business is in your nature and in your culture. I would urge all the members of JITO and Indians across the world to visit and study the GeM portal of the Government of India once and offer suggestions to facilitate government procurement. You can help a lot of people. The government has developed a very good platform. More than 40 lakh sellers have registered themselves with the GeM portal. I am happy that most of them are MSMEs, small businessmen and our sisters of women self-help groups. And you would love to know that 10 lakh sellers have joined this portal only in the last five months. This shows people's trust in this new system. It shows that when there is will in the government, has the support of the people and the strong spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’, then no one can stop the change and change is possible. Today we can see and experience those changes.

Friends,

Both our path and destination for the future are clear. AatmaNirbhar Bharat is our path and our resolve. And it is not the resolve of any government, but of 130 crore countrymen. In the past few years, we have taken every necessary step and have worked relentlessly to make the environment positive. It now rests on my colleagues like you, on the JITO members, to make good use of the right environment to fulfill the resolutions. Therefore, wherever you go, whosoever you meet, half the time of your day should be spent on it. It is in your nature to discuss the future. You are not the people who sit on the past laurels. You look towards the future. Since I have grown up among you, I know about your nature. Therefore, I urge the entrepreneurs of the young Jain society and innovators to shoulder a little more responsibility. It is very natural to have expectations from the Jain International Trade Organization as an institution and from its members during the ongoing Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. Be it education, health and small welfare institutions, the Jain society has always encouraged best institutions, best practices and best services. Therefore, society’s expectations from you are very natural. And I have a special expectation from you and that is you emphasize local products. Following the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’, all of you should find new destinations for exports and also make local entrepreneurs aware of them in your area. We have to work on the basis of Zero Defect, Zero Effect for the quality of local products and its minimum impact on the environment. Therefore, I want to give a little homework to JITO members. I know for sure you will do it, but will not express it. Raise your hand and tell me that you will do it. You do one thing. Sit with your family and make a list of the foreign products that have become part of your everyday life and in your kitchen. Tick the list of products which you and your family can decide to use which are made in India. The family should decide to stop use of 500 foreign products from the list of 1,500 and should prune it further to 200 and 100 in subsequent months.  One can compromise on 20-25-50 foreign products which you think are necessary. Friends, have you ever thought that how we have become mentally enslaved and slaves to foreign products unknowingly when we are celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. This is how the East India Company made its entry to India. That’s why I request it repeatedly. Today I urge all the members of JITO not to follow if you don’t like what I say, but do make a list of such products. One should sit with the family and most of you would not be aware of the use of foreign products in your day-to-day life. There would not even be any request for such foreign-made products, but you would have bought it without any consideration. Therefore, I reiterate Vocal for Local. It will help the people of our country get employment and opportunities. If we take pride in our products, only then the world will be proud of our products. But there is a precondition also, my friends.

Friends,

Another request to you is EARTH. A person from the Jain community is immediately reminded of cash when his attention is drawn towards earth. But I am talking about a different EARTH. ‘E’ in EARTH refers to the environment and you should encourage such investment and practice that should lead to prosperity of the environment. You must also discuss how you can support the efforts to make at least 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in every district by 15th August next year.  ‘A’ is for agriculture. My JITO youth should come forward to make agriculture more profitable. They should launch start-ups and make investments in natural farming, farming with zero-cost budgeting, farm technology and the food processing sector. Next comes ‘R’ that is focus on recycling and circular economy. You should work for Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. ‘T’ is technology and you can take it to as many people as possible. You can definitely consider how you can make other advanced technologies like drone technology accessible. And lastly, ‘H’ refers to Healthcare. Today, the government is doing a lot of work for health care and establishing medical colleges in every district in the country. Do think about how your organization can encourage this.

The country also expects your maximum contribution to promote research and development in the field of AYUSH. I am sure that very good suggestions and best solutions will emerge from this summit for the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence. And one thing you must always remember. JITO means victory. May you be victorious in your resolutions and realize your resolutions. With this spirit, I wish you all the very best once again.

Jai Jinendra! Thanks!

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/VK/AK