‘Doesn’t matter if it’s dollars or pounds, the sweat should be ours’: PM Modi on swadeshi
Modi also noted that Maruti-Suzuki has been present in Gujarat for 13 years now, and added that the government allotted land to the company at Hansalpur in 2012.
3 min readHansalpurUpdated: Aug 26, 2025 05:34 PM IST
PM Modi speaks during the inauguration of 'Battery Electric Vehicle Exports to 100 countries' and 'Hybrid Battery Electrode Manufacturing' at Maruti Suzuki's Hansalpur manufacturing facility, in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. (PTI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday once again pushed for swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns as he asked people to make them their “jivan mantra” or life goal at the inauguration of Maruti Suzuki India’s e-Vitara electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing plant in Gujarat’s Hansalpur.
While addressing a public event at Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad district’s Hansalpur, PM Modi said the investment could be from anyone, but the sweat should be that of Indians. “Jo production hoga usme mahek mere desh ki hogi, mere Bharat Ma ki hogi. The production will have the smell of my country and that of Bharat Ma,” he added.
“Yahan Japan ke dwara jo chijein bani hain ye bhi swadeshi hain. Meri swadeshi ki vyakhya bahot simple hai. Paisa kiska lagta hain usase mujhe koi lena dena nahi hai. Woh dollar ho, pound ho, woh currency kali ho, gori ho, mujhe koi lena dena nahi hain. Lekin jo production hai usme pasina mere deshvasion ka hona chahiye. (The things made by Japan here are all swadeshi. My definition of swadeshi is very simple. I am not concerned about whose money is being invested. I am not worried whether it is dollars or pounds or whether the currency is black or white. However, in the production, the sweat must be of my countrymen)”.
The electric vehicles, e-Vitara, will be manufactured and exported to more than 100 countries by Maruti Suzuki India Limited. TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki, will produce the Li-ion battery cells and electrodes.
Japan’s ambassador to India Keiichi Ono, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and top officials of Maruti and Suzuki, among others, were present at the event.
Modi said in the last decade, the production of mobile phones, electronics and defence goods has increased multifold in the country, and a healthy competition has started between states.
“Today, the entire world is looking at India. In such a situation, no state should lag. Every state should seize the opportunity. The competition should be such that the investor coming to India should have to think about which state they should choose. And, therefore, I invite all states to do competition of reforms, good governance and pro-development,” he added.
Story continues below this ad
The Prime Minister recollected that as the chief minister of Gujarat, he made arrangements to facilitate Japanese investors in the state around 2012 by bringing in Japanese cuisines, golf courses, etc. He added that if an investor has to be attracted, every aspect of the cultural ecosystem needs to be considered minutely.
Modi also noted that Maruti-Suzuki has been present in Gujarat for 13 years now, and added that the Gujarat Government had allotted land to the company at Hansalpur village in 2012. “The vision, then too, was of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India,” he said.
Modi said he would visit Japan next week, and said that the ties between the two countries are beyond ‘diplomatic relations’ and that of ‘culture and trust’ which complements each other’s development.
Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region.
Expertise & Authority
Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues:
Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani.
Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters.
Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis:
State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys.
Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More
