Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Says Traditional Arts Empower Economy

December 28, 2025

In the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of traditional arts and crafts as a means to empower society and promote economic progress, saying these art forms are becoming a “vehicle for economic growth” for communities across India.

The Prime Minister pointed out that traditional craft skills, historically rooted in Indian culture, offer not just cultural value but also economic opportunities, particularly for rural artisans, women, and local communities.

Examples of Craft‑Led Community Empowerment

PM Modi highlighted specific examples where traditional arts are helping transform livelihoods. One such instance is the Narasapuram lace craft from Andhra Pradesh a centuries‑old art form that today provides income and employment to thousands of women artisans through skill training, design innovation, and market linkages.

The Prime Minister said that in more than 250 villages, the craft has become a source of regular employment, enabling artisans to earn and contribute to their household incomes while preserving their cultural identity.

Traditional Arts, Skill Development, and Market Access

PM Modi noted that with better skill development programmes, design innovation, and improved market connectivity, traditional artists are increasingly able to reach wider audiences and enter new economic spaces. This trend supports the country’s broader vision of self‑reliance and inclusive growth under schemes that encourage “vocational excellence and local enterprise.”

He stressed that empowering artisans boosts employment, entrepreneurship, and socio‑economic inclusion, laying the groundwork for a more vibrant and resilient economy rooted in India’s heritage.

Cultural Preservation and Economic Potential

The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect a continuing emphasis on the idea that India’s cultural heritage and traditional skills are not static relics but living assets capable of driving social change and economic well‑being. This aligns with the government’s long‑term focus on supporting artisans through initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana, which provides financial support, skill training, and market access to traditional craftspeople.

By positioning traditional arts as part of India’s economic engine, PM Modi reiterated the value of vocal for local encouraging citizens to embrace locally made goods and contribute to a self‑reliant economic ecosystem.