Downloads: 4
Original Article | Political Science | Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026 | Pages: 444 - 448 | India
Economic Self-Reliance in Atmanirbhar Bharat: Revisiting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Vision
Abstract: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was not only the father of national integration in India but also the embodiment of the perfect harmony between the developmental ideas of Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. His intellectual foresight, strong personality, and pragmatic mindset laid India on a solid foundation after independence. In his conception of financial self-reliance, he argued that India should focus on developing its indigenous industry and avoid dependence on foreign borrowing. He opposed the idea of socialism. He sought to ensure that individuals from all social classes had the opportunity to accumulate wealth. He also stated that individuals should invest their hoarded wealth, as this would contribute to the nation's prosperity. It can be said that Sardar Patel's dream of a self-reliant economy for India has become more feasible through the 2021 Atmanirbhar Bharat program of the Modi government, which emphasises economic prosperity through indigenous means. The aim of this scheme is not only to generate employment but also to reduce imports and increase national production. "Vocal for Local" is a government initiative to prioritise local products and strengthen domestic industries. "Make in India" is one of the significant initiatives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. The primary objective of the "Make in India" project is to transform India into a global manufacturing hub and generate sufficient employment opportunities. However, numerous hurdles impede the complete success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. Many rural poor in India remain unemployed and seek to migrate in search of employment opportunities. This paper aims to showcase the effectiveness of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Programme and its alignment with Patel's concept of a self-reliant economy.
Keywords: economy, employment, self-reliance, development, migration, India
How to Cite?: Anup Kumar Dutta, "Economic Self-Reliance in Atmanirbhar Bharat: Revisiting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Vision", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 444-448, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26206123905, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26206123905