Building India from Within

by Dr. Abhishek Gilara

Today, I was in Amritsar to celebrate Rakhi with my sister. While here, I visited a museum that showcased factual accounts of the tragedies during our freedom movement—how our economy was deliberately crippled and our people suppressed. Walking through those halls was a humbling reminder of the unimaginable struggles our ancestors faced.

Even today, we face threats from across the world—economic, political, and cultural—that can easily trigger panic. But if we pause and look back at history, we will realise one powerful truth: we are in a much stronger position now. We are citizens of a free nation. Our economy has grown tremendously. We have resources, opportunities, and a voice—privileges denied to generations before us.

One of my personal habits whenever I travel is to explore locally developed goods. In Amritsar, I bought a pashmina shawl and a pair of locally made juttis—not merely because I admire the craftsmanship, but because I believe in supporting local artisans.

This is more than just shopping. It’s an act of patriotism. Every rupee spent on local goods keeps money circulating within our economy, sustains livelihoods, and strengthens our independence from foreign dependency.

Now imagine if each one of us made it a conscious practice—wherever we are, we choose local first. The collective impact would be monumental. We could boost our economy, preserve our cultural heritage, and stand stronger against external pressures that will inevitably continue.

So, the next time you step out, don’t just buy what you like—buy what’s ours. In doing so, you are not only owning a piece of art but also contributing to the story of a self-reliant India.

History shows we’ve survived worse. The future will show how strong we can become—if we choose to build from within.