Swadeshi

[swuh-dey-shee]

noun

1. a political movement in British India that encouraged domestic production and the boycott of foreign, especially British, goods as a step toward home rule.

Swadeshi

/ swəˈdeɪʃɪ /

adjective

1. (in present-day India) produced within the country; not imported

noun

1. (in British India) the encouragement of domestic production and boycott of foreign goods as part of the campaign for independence

Word History and Origins

Origin of Swadeshi¹

1900–05; < Hindi or Bengali svadesī, equivalent to sva- self, own + desī native

Word History and Origins

Origin of Swadeshi¹

C20: from Bengali svadesī, from Sanskrit svadeśin, from sva one's own + deśa country

Example Sentences

Wearing a bright saffron turban and addressing crowds of spectators from the ramparts of Delhi's Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations, Modi also made a rallying cry for self-reliance, urging small shop owners and businesses to put up boards of "Swadeshi" or "Made in India" outside their stores.

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Born out of the Swadeshi movement - a self-sufficiency movement that was part of India's freedom struggle in the early 1900s - the brand was created as a counterpoint to the expensive biscuits sold by the dominant international players at the time.

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Some opposition comes from an Indian nationalist group that advocates for local businesses, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, which is close to Modi’s ruling party.

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Nationalist group Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the economic wing of the ideological parent of Modi's ruling party, opposed the plan, saying such listings would mean less Indian oversight of domestic firms, while Indian investors would find it more difficult to trade in shares of companies listing abroad.

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A source with direct knowledge told Reuters on Wednesday that representatives of Swadeshi Jagran Manch lobbied India's Finance Minister in a closed-door meeting in January to not proceed with the policy announcement.

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