Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday took out a Tiranga Yatra and Swadeshi March in his parliamentary constituency of Vidisha, Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, combining patriotic fervour with a push for economic self-reliance.
Before the march, Chouhan celebrated Raksha Bandhan with members of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in Vidisha, urging them and residents to hoist the national flag at their homes on Independence Day and to adopt Swadeshi products.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said he was proud that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, government’s “Lakhpati Didi” initiative was transforming rural women’s lives. “We had set a target to make 3 crore women earn Rs 1 lakh annually. Nearly 2 crore are already close to achieving this, and we will meet the target ahead of time,” he said.
Chouhan appealed to people to commit to buying only ‘Made in India’ goods, whether from SHGs, local markets or national manufacturers. “I pledge to buy only products made in India for my daily life and will encourage my family, neighbours and villagers to do the same,” he added.
Touching upon foreign policy, the Minister took a strong position on Pakistan, saying, “The Indus Waters Treaty is no longer the issue, the issue is Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is ours, and it will remain ours.”
The march saw enthusiastic participation from locals, blending messages of nationalism, women’s empowerment and support for domestic industries.
