Southern States - Karnataka   

Face liberalisation challenge: Minister

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE APRIL 10. It is important for indigenous manufacturers of goods to market them in a manner desired by consumers and also publicise it accordingly, the Union Minister of State for Shipping, Dilip Gandhi, has said. It is the only way to compete with the publicity and marketing blitz unleashed by foreign manufacturers of goods and services to attract consumers.

Inaugurating 43rd `Swadeshi Mela' organised by Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development (CBMD) here on Thursday, Mr. Gandhi said it was also important for local manufacturers to face the challenges posed by the liberalisation process. Indian manufacturers could not run away scared by scale of competition ushered in by the process. They had the wherewithal to face it.

He said the Centre was in the process of creating infrastructure to help local industries, especially small and medium industries, to help cope with the challenges thrown up by the globalisation of the economy. He advised entrepreneurs to make the best use of the infrastructure network and also highlight the need to develop it in areas useful to promote their venture.

The Centre had granted many exemptions to encourage food-processing industries across India. Products manufactured by these industries were in demand across the world, he said, and urged entrepreneurs to pay attention to selling the goods in an acceptable manner. Packaging and presentation of items carried a lot of importance, he said.

Mr. Gandhi opined that there was an assured market for Indian goods abroad and said it was left to the skill of the entrepreneur to tap the potential. He refuted the observation that India did not possess the skills to meet internationally acceptable standards in the manufacturing sector and advised entrepreneurs to study the latest marketing trends well.

Noting that swadeshi was a way of life starting from one's culture, he said it was necessary for people to develop a sense of self-respect about products manufactured here. He advised the people to stop yearning for foreign goods and remarked that they tended to buy locally manufactured goods, imported back into the country, albeit with a foreign label at a higher price.

The Convener of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, New Delhi, Muralidhar Rao, in his introductory remarks said this was the 43rd edition of the mela, which was first held three years ago. Noting that the event had helped leave an indelible mark about the quality of indigenous goods and services across a wide section of society, he said its success was spurring local manufacturers to do better.

Noting that there were not many takers for swadeshi when the process of liberalisation and globalisation of the economy started in the early 1990s, he said the movement had to be seen in its totality, encompassing political, military, and economic ramifications. He said swadeshi was a corollary of self-reliance and noted that the two could not been viewed separately.

Noting that swadeshi was not an anti-West concept, he said it was, however, a means to assert Indian independence in formulating its own economic policies without interference by anyone. He said that it was wrong to infer that globalisation had brought in foreign investment. He said 98 per cent of funds was internally generated through savings.

The Director of CBMD, New Delhi, C.A.Varghese, said swadeshi was the determination to progress on our own effort without seeking foreign assistance unless needed. He said these melas had helped create a platform for Indian entrepreneurs to showcase their skill and talent. He pointed out that it was necessary for competition to stimulate growth and not strangle it.

The Mangalore MLA, N.Yogish Bhat spoke. The Chairman of the Reception Committee of the mela and industrialist, N.Vinaya Hegde, welcomed the gathering. The convener of the mela, M.B.Puranik, proposed a vote of thanks. The MLC, Balakrishna Bhat was present.

The mela will be open to visitors till April 16. Entry is free. Cultural programmes will be held for five days from Friday.

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