Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India’s development model is rooted in Antyodaya, which seeks to eliminate discrimination and ensure that the benefits of growth reach even the poorest.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025 in Greater Noida.
Citing India’s Fintech sector as an example of inclusive development, PM Modi highlighted the country’s open digital platforms, such as UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and ONDC, which provide equal opportunities for all.
“The principle of ‘Platforms for All, Progress for All’ is visible across India, from mall shoppers to street-side tea vendors using UPI. Formal credit, once accessible only to large companies, now reaches street vendors through the PM SVANidhi scheme,” he said
PM Modi noted that the occasion coincided with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a thinker whose philosophy of Antyodaya aimed at the upliftment of the last person in the queue.
He referred to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), recalling that earlier only large companies could sell goods to the government. “Today, nearly 25 lakh sellers and service providers—including small traders, entrepreneurs, and shopkeepers—are connected to GeM, with the government procuring goods and services worth ₹15 lakh crore so far, of which ₹7 lakh crore came from MSMEs and small industries. Even a small shopkeeper in a remote corner of the country is now selling products through GeM,” he said.
The Prime Minister said such initiatives reflect the essence of Antyodaya and form the foundation of India’s development model.
On India’s growth trajectory, PM Modi said, “Despite global disruptions and uncertainty, India’s growth remains attractive. Disruptions do not divert India—they reveal new directions. Amidst challenges, we are laying a strong foundation for the coming decades.”
Emphasising the mantra of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he added, “There is no greater helplessness than dependence on others. India must become self-reliant. Every product that can be made in India must be produced in India.”
Addressing entrepreneurs, traders, and innovators, the Prime Minister urged them to design business models that strengthen self-reliance.
Focusing on Make in India and domestic manufacturing, PM Modi highlighted the government’s efforts to boost ease of doing business, noting that over 40,000 compliances have been removed and hundreds of laws that previously penalised minor business errors have been decriminalised.
He stressed the importance of quality, saying, “All manufactured products must be of the highest quality. Every Indian is now connecting with swadeshi and wants to buy local products. The sentiment of proudly saying ‘this is swadeshi’ is being felt across the country.”
The trade show has attracted over 2,200 exhibitors, including traders, investors, and entrepreneurs from across India, with Russia participating as the partner country for this edition.