New Delhi, 01 September (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the people of the country on India’s 7.8 per cent economic growth in the April-June 2026 quarter and called for greater emphasis on self-reliance and indigenous products to sustain the country’s growth momentum. He also urged citizens to avoid non-essential foreign travel, overseas weddings and gold purchases unless necessary.

In a video message posted on Instagram, Prime Minister Modi said the world is facing multiple crises, with wars raging and global supply chains disrupted. Despite these challenges, India has continued to make strong progress. He said the world had remained unstable since the COVID-19 pandemic, but India had performed well on the strength of its policies, determination and the collective strength of its people.

Targeting those he accused of spreading pessimism about India’s economic progress, Modi said the country was moving ahead rapidly. He said that despite challenges, and despite what he described as efforts by some people within the country to spread “echoes of lies” and negativity, India had achieved a growth rate of 7.8 per cent.

The Prime Minister said India must maintain its economic momentum and become increasingly self-reliant to achieve this objective. He called on citizens to further strengthen the spirit of “Vocal for Local” and give preference to locally manufactured and indigenous products.

Modi also appealed to citizens to reconsider non-essential expenditure abroad. He said that if foreign travel was undertaken merely for leisure, people should consider avoiding it. He similarly urged citizens to refrain from holding weddings abroad and advised against purchasing gold unless there was a genuine need.

The Prime Minister said that greater emphasis on indigenous products and self-reliance would further strengthen the Indian economy. He expressed confidence that the country could achieve its goal of handing over a developed India to the younger generation by the time the nation completes 100 years of independence.

Modi said that despite India’s economic progress, some people continued to spread negativity and misinformation, but the country had continued to move forward. He emphasised that the hard work and collective efforts of citizens would play a crucial role in fulfilling the aspirations of India’s youth.

He said the efforts being made today would help realise the hopes and ambitions of the younger generation. “We will fulfil the dreams of the youth through our hard work today,” he said.

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to contribute to India’s economic progress, asserting that the government’s policies and intentions were moving in the right direction.

“Our policy is right, our intention is clear, and today the collective strength of 1.4 billion Indians is taking the country to new heights,” Modi said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar