Imagine This you sit down expecting a regular address from the Prime Minister, and instead you hear about a “festival of savings” where daily items, gadgets, and even your grocery basket cost less.
That’s the mood PM Narendra Modi set yesterday at 5 PM IST. With Navratri beginning today, his 19-minute speech mixed talk of economic reforms with a call to take pride in local products. But the real question is, how does it impact your budget? Let’s walk through it.
The announcement came just before the launch of GST 2.0 on September 22, making it part of the festive wave. Modi called it a “next-gen reform” meant to ease family expenses, create jobs, and strengthen India when global trade is under pressure.
Searches for “PM Modi speech” jumped 300% overnight, and social media is trending with #GSTBachatUtsav. This is not just policy – it is being framed as a way to leave families with extra money during Diwali shopping.
Key Takeaways From The Speech
Modi’s words were short but sharp. He stressed on lower taxes, cheaper essentials, and more support for Indian-made goods. Below is a simple table explaining the big changes:
| Aspect | Details | What It Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| GST Slabs | Only 2 main ones: 5% for 99% of everyday goods (food, clothing), 18% for most other items. Luxury and sin goods like tobacco, high-end cars at 40%. | Groceries, medicines, and insurance bills go down. Over 500 products get cheaper – from paneer to phone chargers. |
| Effective Date | Starts Sept 22, runs as “GST Bachat Utsav” till Sept 29, lined up with Navratri. | Festival discounts become bigger. E-commerce sites like Flipkart already promoting new deals. |
| Self-Reliance Push | “Say proudly, I buy Swadeshi.” Appeals for support to local industries and MSMEs. | Helps counter global tariffs and visa restrictions by driving jobs in India. Your next festive outfit could support a local maker. |
| Bigger Picture | Linked with recent income tax relief up to ₹12 lakh; credits GST for lifting 25 crore out of poverty. | Together, reforms could save families nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore a year – a huge benefit for the middle class. |
Modi described GST as the “one nation, one tax” vision finally in action. The old system of extra tolls and hidden charges is gone. He shared a new line too: “Nagrik Devo Bhava” – treat citizens with respect. With state governments backing the move, he expects a 1–2% rise in GDP as people spend more.
The Buzz: Reactions On Social Media
The address went live on DD News, YouTube, and the NaMo app. Within hours, X was flooded. #PMModiAddress saw 150K mentions in a day, while video clips crossed 500K views. Users are already posting grocery hauls, saying bills will drop. Memes also took over – like “GST Sale bhaiyo-beheno” making tax talk light-hearted.
Public opinion is largely positive. Polls on X show nearly 85% approval, with many calling it a “Diwali gift in advance.” Young people are sharing posts about the middle class finally seeing relief, and the number “25 crore out of poverty” is being highlighted as real progress.
But critics are also active. Some leaders call it a “Band-Aid” for deeper GST issues. Congress head Mallikarjun Kharge said it is eyewash, pointing at high GST on basics. Jairam Ramesh accused Modi of taking full credit, while Mamata Banerjee reminded that her state backed such cuts first and will lose ₹20,000 crore in revenue. AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj dismissed it as “old news,” saying Modi avoided talking about US trade troubles. Bihar and UP leaders are asking for more direct state support, calling it election-driven.
Still, the larger mood stays favorable. BJP leaders link the Swadeshi message to Gandhi’s independence call. UP’s Keshav Prasad Maurya and Ramdas Athawale both called it a big boost for jobs. Rajasthan even launched its own savings drive to match the spirit.
Why It Matters Now
The timing could not be sharper. With US tariffs climbing and visa rules tightening, Modi’s line – “Whatever we can make, we must” – is being seen as a direct push for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Searches for Indian products are up 40%, and traders promise they will pass on the benefits to buyers.
For households, this is the moment to stretch the festive budget. Essentials cost less, domestic brands get a lift, and those Diwali big-ticket buys may finally fit into your plan.
