AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: FUTURE PATHWAY

The COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected the global economy, hampering industries across various fields around the world. The transmission of the diseases has forced countries into lockdown, anticipating the economy of a deflation. As the virus influences most of the developed countries dramatically, its effect on India is smaller than others but has a more significant impact on the businesses and economy of the country. At a time when the world was suffering from a deadly pandemic, India planned to convert this crisis into an opportunity by strengthening its fight by becoming Aatmanirbhar or self-reliant and introduced Atamnirbhar Baharat Campaign. Aatmanirbhar Bharat was mainly in the context that the things which were imported before the COVID, shall be now manufactured in India not only for own consumption but also for the export. The government has made paramount importance the goal of self- reliance in its policy and practice, the COVID has taught us how to speed up the same and what efforts shall be put for it. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Campaign is the result of the same. It is the time to take bold decisions regarding investment for promoting manufacturing in India only. The focus of the Campaign is also on reforming various policies related to ‘land, labour, liquidity and laws. It also focuses on empowering the poor, labourers, migrants, etc., both from organized and unorganized sectors. In fact, the Covid crisis has taught the decision makers the importance of local manufacturing, local market and local supply chains. Prime Minister Mr. Narender Modi remarked that Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan or Self-reliant India campaign is the vision of new India envisaged by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. On 12 May 2020, our PM raised a clarion call to the nation giving a kick start to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-reliant India campaign) and announced the Special economic and comprehensive package of INR 20 lakh crores - equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP – to fight COVID-19 pandemic in India.iii The self-reliant India is based on five pillars viz. Economy, which brings in quantum jump and not incremental change; Infrastructure, which should become the identity of India; System, based on 21st century technology driven arrangements; Vibrant Demography, which is our source of energy for a self-reliant India; and Demand, whereby the strength of our demand and supply chain should be utilized to full capacity