New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’ in Jhansi marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of defence in India.
PM Modi was addressing the nation after he laid the foundation stone of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor project worth Rs 400 crores in Jhansi. The project is being executed by Bharat Dynamics Ltd for setting up a plant to produce propulsion systems for anti-tank guided missiles.
“Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv in Jhansi is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of defence in India. Foundation stone for a new plant of Bharat Dynamics Limited has been laid here. It will give new recognition to the Jhansi node of UP Defence Corridor,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the three-day ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’, PM Modi stated that “India’s identity was that of an importer of arms. Today, the country’s mantra is ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. The country is working to make our armed forces ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant).”
“We are adding the talent of private sector with our defence sector and new start-ups are being given a chance to show their ‘kamaal’ (good work) in this sector,” he added, as quoted by PTI.
Several initiatives and schemes were launched or dedicated to the nation during the three-day ‘parv’ in Jhansi that also celebrated the 193rd birthday of Rani Laxmi Bai.
Recalling how the country never tasted defeat due to lack of gallantry and valour (‘shaurya and veerta’), the prime minister said history of the country would have been different had there been enough resources and weapons with Rani Laxmi Bai.
“It has been decided that a big portion of the defence budget for purchase of weapons will be spent on 'Make in India' equipment and the defence minister has released a list of 200 equipment that cannot be brought (imported) from outside,” he said.
In Jhansi, PM Modi inaugurated or laid the foundations of multiple development projects worth over Rs 3,425 crore to expedite the growth of the economically backward Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.
He also remembered “Jhansi‘s son” Major Dhyan Chand, “who brought recognition for the Indian sports around the world”.
“Some time back, our government named the Khel Ratna Awards after Major Dhyan Chand,” he recalled.
The Prime Minister said that Bundelkhand “is going to play the role of ‘sarathi’ in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor”.
“Once known for its courage and valour, Bundelkhand will now also be recognised as a major centre of India’s defence strength,” he added.
PM Modi expressed hope that the Jhansi node of UP Defence Industrial Corridor will open new opportunities for MSMEs and small industries, “providing new employment opportunities to the youth”. “This means that the region, which was suffering the plight of migration, will now become an attraction for investment,” he said.
At the ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’, PM Modi formally handed over light combat aircraft (LCH) designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Air Force chief, drones and UAVs built by Indian start-ups to the Army chief, and the DRDO-designed and Bharat Electronics Limited-manufactured advanced electronic warfare suite for naval ships to the Navy chief.
He dedicated to the nation augmented reality-powered electronic kiosks at the National War Memorial, New Delhi which will enable visitors to pay floral homage to martyrs through the simple click of the button.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “I want to assure the country that the day will come soon when 90 per cent equipment of the country’s defence requirements will be made in India”.
In Jhansi, PM Narendra Modi launched the National programme of simulation training for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets with the aim to scale up such training facilities for all three wings of NCC. He also launched the NCC Alumni Association, becoming the first member of the association.
Speaking about the same, PM Modi appealed to all the former cadets to join the association. “Let us come together and pledge to do something for the country,” he said.
(With Inputs From Agencies)