Agartala, Jan 10: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Friday said that the Swadeshi Mela is not merely a commercial or cultural event, but a powerful symbol of self-reliance, promotion of indigenous producers, preservation of cultural heritage, and economic self-sufficiency.
Inaugurating Swadeshi Mela 2026 at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala, organised by the Agartala Municipal Corporation, the Chief Minister said the state government is continuously working to give practical shape to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
He stated that Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan but a mass movement, where every citizen can contribute to national development by using indigenous products. Quoting the Prime Minister, he said India has achieved self-sufficiency in many sectors, and using products that are made within the country is a moral responsibility. This, he added, will help realise the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to prioritise the use and production of local products and advised greater focus on their promotion and outreach. He said the core objective of Vocal for Local is to encourage indigenous production, increase the use of local goods, achieve economic self-reliance, and reduce dependence on others. The present state government, he said, is committed to nurturing a strong Swadeshi mindset.
Calling such initiatives timely and significant, Dr. Saha said Atmanirbhar Bharat is not a standalone programme but a collective resolve of 140 crore Indians. He highlighted that the Tripura government is giving top priority to locally produced goods, with special emphasis on quality enhancement, innovation, technology-driven production, and market expansion so that Tripura’s products gain acceptance in national and international markets.
He noted that Tripura has made significant progress in areas such as law and order, education, tourism, economy, and connectivity, which is being recognised across the country. External investors, he added, are also showing interest in investing in the state. The Swadeshi Mela, he said, serves as a unified platform to showcase Tripura’s heritage and self-reliant spirit and will boost public confidence in local products.
Expressing his desire to expand the Swadeshi Mela across the state in the future, the Chief Minister said the fair features cultural programmes, folk music and dance, traditional exhibitions, and discussion sessions to highlight Tripura’s diverse cultural landscape. He added that the true success of the Swadeshi Mela lies in citizens choosing indigenous products, which alone can pave the way for an Atmanirbhar Tripura and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Swadeshi Mela 2026, he said, is a strong step towards that goal.
Delivering the welcome address, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder said Swadeshi Mela 2026 will be held from January 9 to January 11, 2026, with the aim of creating awareness about indigenous products in line with the Vocal for Local campaign. He expressed hope that the fair would stand as a living document of the state’s development vision and provide a major marketing platform for local producers and artisans.
The Mayor said that the emphasis on Swadeshi products gained momentum after 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, and the current state government is also taking multiple initiatives to move Tripura towards self-reliance. He added that the development of Agartala city is clearly visible and that the use of Swadeshi products will also open new avenues for employment.
Addressing the gathering, MP Rajib Bhattacharjee said the fair aims to promote the use and production of indigenous goods. He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently stressed the importance of promoting Swadeshi products, which will strengthen the country economically and lead it towards self-reliance. He called upon everyone to come forward to translate the vision of Vocal for Local into reality.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Agartala Municipal Corporation Commissioner D.K. Chakma.
The event was also attended by MLA Ratan Chakraborty, Deputy Mayor Monika Das Dutta, Secretary of Industries and Commerce Kiran Gitte, West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Dr. Vishal Kumar, among others. After the programme, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries visited various stalls at the fair. Corporators from all four zones of Agartala city were also present at the inauguration.
