PM Modi labels 'Make in India' as 'lion step' to usher increased manufacturing

Identifying Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as 'First Develop India', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called 'Make in India' as a lion step to usher in increased manufacturing in the country, which will ultimately generate more employment opportunities for the poor and give greater purchasing power in their hands.

Prime Minister Modi said, "We have to create opportunities of employment. If the poor get jobs, the purchasing power of families will increase. We have to increase manufacturing, and at the same time, ensure that the benefits reach the youth of our nation. This is the step of a lion: Make in India."

The Prime Minister further referred to FDI as 'First Develop India', saying, "For the world, FDI is an opportunity. My definition of FDI for the people of India is First Develop India."

Prime Minister Modi also added that the mantra of his government was to develop a sense of trust among the people.

"The biggest issue is trust. Why do we not trust our fellow countrymen? I want to change this. The mantra of our government is that we want to trust each and every Indian. The atmosphere of trust can change a lot of things," he said.

"Many may feel this is a small step but what can be bigger than trusting 125 crore Indians," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said that he was pained to experience the gloom prevailing among industrialists within the country.

"Many people I met had told me that they needed to shift the industry from India. When I used to hear this, it used to pain me that my own people are being forced to leave their country. I do not want the industry and businessman to leave our country and we need to change that," he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative, with the objective of making India a manufacturing hub for domestic and foreign companies, with a focus on job creation and skill enhancement in 25 key sectors such as automobiles, chemicals, IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles and tourism and hospitality.