India is determined to “set an example” for the rest of the word in the post-pandemic economic revival, prime minister Narendra Modi has said, underling the need to become self-reliant.

“There is also a widespread debate on how the economies of various countries, including India’s, will recover. However, given the way India has surprised the world with its unity and resolve in the fight against Coronavirus, there is a firm belief that we will also set an example in economic revival,” he said in a letter addressed to the citizens of the nation on Saturday, as the NDA government completed the first year of its second term.

“In the economic domain, through their strength, 130 crore Indians can not only surprise the world but also inspire it,” he added. “It is the need of the hour that we must become self-reliant. We have to move forward based on our own abilities, in our own way, and there is only one way to do it – Aatmanirbhar Bharat or Self-reliant India. The recent Rs 20 lakh crore package given for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is a major step in this direction.”

This initiative, he said, will usher in a new era of opportunities for every Indian, be it farmers, workers, small entrepreneurs or youth associated with startups.

“The fragrance of Indian soil along with the sweat, hard work and talent of our workers will create products that will reduce India’s dependence on imports and will move towards self-reliance,” the letter said.

Terming the 2019 election victory as the beginning of “a golden chapter in the history of Indian democracy”, Modi said, “Once again, I bow to the 130 crore people of India and the democratic ethos of our nation.”

The letter recounts pro-poor steps taken by the government during its first term as well as in the year gone by. “Today, 130 crore people feel involved and integrated in the development trajectory of the nation. The light of ‘Jan Shakti’ and ‘Rashtra Shakti’ has ignited the entire nation. Powered by the Mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ India is marching forward in all spheres.”

He, however, added that the sudden outbreak of Coid-19 had put obstacles in the course of the nation’s journey ahead.  “As we were moving ahead at fast pace in the fulfilment of hopes and aspirations of our countrymen, the Coronavirus global pandemic engulfed our country as well.” This was all the more challenging for the country with its large population and limited resources.

“Many feared that India will become a problem for the world when Corona hits India. But today, through sheer confidence and resilience, you have transformed the way the world looks at us. You have proven that the collective strength and potential of Indians is unparalleled compared even to the powerful and prosperous countries of the world,” Modi added.

On the question of migrant labourers, the letter noted, “In a crisis of this magnitude, it can certainly not be claimed that no one suffered any inconvenience or discomfort. Our labourers, migrant workers, artisans and craftsmen in small scale industries, hawkers and such fellow countrymen have undergone tremendous suffering. We are working in a united and determined way to alleviate their troubles.

“However, we have to take care to ensure that inconveniences that we are facing do not turn into disasters. Hence, it is very important for every Indian to follow all rules and guidelines. We have displayed patience so far and we should continue to do so. This is one of the important reasons for India being safer and in a better state than many other countries. This is a long battle but we have started traversing on the path of victory, and victory is our collective resolve,” noted the PM, signing off as “Pradhan sevak”.