Even swadeshi, like any other good thing, can be ridden to death if it is made a fetish.
This quote suggests that even the most beneficial principles or practices, like swadeshi, can be detrimental if they’re overly idolized or obsessively adhered to. Swadeshi is an Indian socio-economic strategy that promotes self-sufficiency and local production. While it has numerous advantages such as boosting local economies and preserving cultural traditions, an extremist interpretation of this principle could lead to unnecessary restrictions on international trade or a refusal to adopt useful foreign technologies.
The idea of not making a fetish out of good things implies avoiding extreme adherence to any principle without considering its context or potential consequences. It warns against the dangers of dogmatism and blind faith in any ideology, no matter how noble it may seem.
In today’s world, this quote could be applied in various ways. At an individual level, one might consider the importance of balance in personal development. For example, while ambition is generally seen as a positive trait that drives success, excessive ambition can lead to workaholism and neglecting other important aspects of life such as health and relationships.
On a societal level, this concept could be applied to current debates about globalization versus nationalism. While supporting domestic industries is important for economic growth and sustainability (akin to swadeshi), shutting off from global trade entirely could limit access to diverse products/services and opportunities for international collaboration.
the key takeaway from this quote is the importance of moderation – acknowledging benefits but also being aware where overemphasis might lead us astray – whether it’s about personal traits or socio-political ideologies.
