Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for “Wed in India” has the potential to redirect an estimated Rs 1 lakh crore back to the country, a move applauded by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). This visionary initiative, reminiscent of the successful “Make in India” campaign, aims to curb unnecessary outflows of currency from the nation, particularly related to expenditures on destination weddings abroad.
The “Wed in India” concept was introduced by PM Modi during his monthly “Man Ki Baat” on November 26, encouraging citizens to opt for destination weddings within the country. CAIT, since the announcement, has actively led a campaign to promote this idea among businesses and civil society across India.
While official surveys on destination weddings by Indians abroad are scarce, estimates suggest that approximately 5,000 such weddings take place each year, with expenditures ranging from Rs 75 thousand crore to Rs 1 lakh crore. CAIT National President BC Bhartia and Secretary Praveen Khandelwal emphasized that India has over 2,000 potential locations for grand destination weddings in approximately 100 major cities across various states. Among the notable options are Goa, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur, Chennai, and Delhi.
Highlighting the economic impact, Bhartia and Khandelwal noted that redirecting destination weddings from foreign countries to domestic venues could keep a substantial business within India. They urged the affluent class to lead this shift, anticipating that others would follow suit, contributing to the growth of the country’s wedding industry.
India’s wedding industry has developed a robust network over the years, making wedding-related goods and services a significant economic contributor. The CAIT leaders stressed that hosting destination weddings in India would not only preserve Indian values but also provide a considerable boost to the nation’s business and economy.
The “Wed in India” initiative aligns with PM Modi’s broader vision to retain India’s wealth within the country, foster economic growth, and generate substantial employment opportunities. As this campaign gains momentum, it has the potential to significantly impact the wedding industry and related sectors, positively influencing the Indian economy. Further developments are expected as businesses and individuals respond to this call to support domestic events and celebrations.