Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, participated in the G7 Trade Ministers Meeting in Osaka, Japan today. Shri Goyal made an important intervention on the topic of Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience and gave several suggestions on the issue. He mentioned that the Covid 19 pandemic and the geo-political events highlighted the vulnerabilities of the existing supply chains leading to increase in commodity prices and global inflation.

The Minister encouraged Public-Private partnership, investment in critical infrastructure and the need for innovation and digitalistion of the supply chains. Shri Goyal highlighted the need for supply chain diversification and skilling and re-skilling of the personnel. He urged the governments to collaborate on a regulatory framework to ease the movement of supply chains and facilitate cross border trade. He also recalled the Generic Framework for Mapping of GVCs mentioned in the New Delhi Declaration of the G20.

During the Session representatives from the governments, private sector and the international organisations like OECD, WTO, etc. also participated. Most of the private sectors shared their positive experiences in developing resilient supply chains. Suzuki made a presentation on their experience in India. Suzuki mentioned how they developed a reliable and trusted vendor base in India and achieved over 95% indigenisation in their supply chains in India. ERIA also mentioned a study conducted by them that showed the growing share of India in the global value chains.

Ministers from Australia, Chile, Indonesia and Kenya also made their interventions and shared suggestions on this topic.

Shri Goyal had bilateral engagements with several Ministers. Shri Goyal met Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry, Japan, Ms. Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business & Trade, UK, Mr. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Australia, Ms. Katherine Tai, Ambassador, United States Trade Representative, Mr. Udo Phillip, Secretary of State, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Climate Action, Germany. Important issues like enhancing bilateral trade, removal of non-tariff barriers, update on the status of the ongoing FTA negotiations and the upcoming ministerial conference on WTO were discussed during the interactions. Shri Goyal also met Ms. Ngozi, Director General of WTO and Mr. Tatsuo Yasunagawa, Chairman, Mitsui, Japan and Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee (JIBCC).

G7 is an intergovernmental forum comprising seven important countries of the world. G7 accounts for over half of global network wealth, 30-43% of global GDP and 10% of world’s population. India is amongst the select countries that have been invited by G7 in this meeting of trade ministers in Osaka.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. India Mobile Congress (IMC) is the largest telecom, media, and technology forum in Asia to be held from 27th to 29th October 2023 with the theme ‘Global Digital Innovation’. The IMC 2023 aims to strengthen India’s position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of key cutting-edge technologies. During the program, the Prime Minister awarded 100 ‘5G Use Case Labs’ to educational institutions across the country.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the exhibition at Hall 5 and took a walkthrough

Industry leaders also spoke on the occasion. Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Shri Akash M Ambani hailed the Prime Minister’s commitment to improving the lives of younger generations by inculcating the use of the latest technologies thereby powering India’s Digital public infrastructure. He highlighted that the Prime Minister is an inspiration for millions of youngsters in the country in making the Digital India program inclusive, innovative and sustainable. He informed that Jio has installed over 10 lakh 5G cells across all 22 circuits of India, making an 85 percent contribution to the overall 5G distribution where the rollout of the 5G stack is designed, developed and manufactured by Indian talent. “India ranks among the top 3 5 G-enabled nations with a user base of 125 million. He underlined that the Prime Minister has unified the entire nation and gave examples of GST, India’s Digital Revolution and the tallest statue built in the world. “Your efforts motivate all of us at the India Mobile Conference”, he reiterated. On behalf of all digital entrepreneurs, innovators and startups, Shri Ambani assured to realize India’s dream during India’s Amrit Kaal.

Chairman Bharti Enterprises, Shri Sunil Bharti Mittal recalled the vision given by the Prime Minister in the form of Digital India which led to the development of digital infrastructure at a feverish pace. He underlined the transformation brought about by the JAM trinity vision of the Prime Minister and how the world has taken note of India’s digital transformation. He said the Digital Public Infrastructure  (DPI) of India is the envy of many countries. Second key pillar of the Prime Minister’s vision according to Shri Mittal, is Make in India, and noted the strides made in manufacturing in the last one year itself. “India has grown very deep roots in manufacturing. Companies like Apple to Dixon, Samsung to Tatas, every company, small, big or startup are involved in manufacturing and India has emerged as a manufacturing nation, especially for digital infrastructure at a huge scale of a world leader”, he said. He informed that in 5000 towns and 20,000 villages Airtel 5G rollout has already taken place and informed that by March 2024 they would cover the entire country and touched upon the call made by the Prime Minister to this effect. This will be truly the fastest 5G rollout anywhere in the world, he said.

Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla thanked the Prime Minister for his visionary leadership in driving India’s Digital transformation and lauded his commitment towards digital inclusion which is rooted in the principle of ‘Antyodaya’ where benefits are ensured for everyone. He credited this approach for India’s growth in the digital evolution which has gained global recognition. “India has emerged as a champion of the Global South inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision”, Shri Birla said as he underlined that many countries are eager to adopt India’s pathbreaking public infrastructure assets across identity, payments and data management. He reiterated that Vodafone Idea is committed to being a responsible partner in achieving the vision of the Prime Minister. He mentioned that India is actively engaging with the development of standards for futuristic technologies in areas like 6G under the guidance of the Prime Minister. He also thanked the government for their tremendous support.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that in the changing times of the 21st century, this event has the power to change the lives of crores of people. Underling the fast pace of technology, the Prime Minister said “The future is here and now”. He praised the exhibition placed for the occasion to provide glimpses of the future in telecom, technology and connectivity. He mentioned the fields of 6G, AI, cyber security, semiconductors, drone or space sectors, deep sea, green tech or any other sectors and said, “The future is going to be entirely different and it is a matter of happiness that our young generation is leading the tech revolution”.

Shri Modi recalled that the 5G rollout which took place last year in India came as a surprise for the rest of the world. He emphasized that India did not halt after the success of 5G and took on the work of taking it to every individual. “India moved from the 5G rollout stage to 5G reach out stage”, he said. Within one year of 5G rollout, the Prime Minister informed about the development of 4 lakh 5G base stations which cover more than 97 percent of the cities and 80 percent of the population. He underlined that the speed of median mobile broadband speeds have increased 3 times within one year. He further added that India moved from the 118th position to the 43rd position in terms of broadband speed. “India is not only expanding the 5G network in the country but also laying emphasis on becoming a leader in 6G”, he remarked. Pointing out the scam that took place during 2G, the Prime Minister said that the 4G rollout which happened during the present government’s tenure is free from blemishes. He also expressed confidence that India will take the lead with 6G technology.

He said, beyond ranking and number improvement in internet connectivity and speed lead to enhanced ease of living. He narrated the benefits of improved connectivity and speed in education, medicine, tourism, and agriculture.

“We believe in the power of democratization. The benefit of development should reach every section and region, everyone should benefit from the resources in India, everyone should have a life of dignity and the benefit of technology should reach everyone. We are working rapidly in this direction”, the Prime Minister said. “For me, this is the biggest social justice”, he added. He further said that “access to capital, access to resources and access to technology is a priority for our government. He mentioned that collateral-free loans under the Mudra scheme, access to toilets, and DBT through JAM Trinity have one thing in common that is they are ensuring previously inaccessible rights for the common citizens. He highlighted the role of telecom technology in this regard and mentioned Bharat Net which has connected about 2 lakh Gram Panchayats with broadband. 10,000 Atal tinkering labs are exposing about 75 lakh children to cutting-edge technology. He expressed the hope that 5G use labs launched today will have a similar impact. “These labs prompt the youth to dream big and give them the confidence to achieve them”, he added.

The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s startup ecosystem has made a significant place for itself in the world in the last few years. “India has made a century of unicorns in fairly less time and has now become one of the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world”, Shri Modi remarked. Before 2014, the Prime Minister said that India was home to only a few hundred startups whereas that number has gone up to approximately one lakh today. Prime Minister Modi also touched upon the ‘Aspire’ program, an initiative by the Indian Mobile Congress to mentor startups in the country and expressed confidence that the step will hugely benefit the youth of India. He emphasized that India’s journey must be remembered. Recalling the difficulties faced due to outdated technology, Shri Modi pointed out that the governments of the past were in a similar state. The Prime Minister pointed out the outdated methods of the previous governments by drawing an analogy to a frozen mobile device where the commands did not function. “After 2014, people stopped using outdated technologies where changing batteries or restarting the system became a futile exercise”, he said.  He recalled that India used to be an importer of mobile phones whereas today, India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world. Noting the lack of vision when it came to electronics manufacturing during previous governments, Shri Modi informed that India today is exporting about Rs 2 lakh crores worth of electronics manufactured in the country. He also threw light on the recent announcement by Google to manufacture Pixel phones in India. “Samsung Fold Five and Apple iPhone 15 are already being manufactured here”, he added.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to take this success in mobile and electronics manufacturing even further. “For the success of both hardware and software in the tech ecosystem, it is important that we build a strong semiconductor manufacturing sector in India”, he said, informing that an 80 thousand crore rupees PLI scheme is going on for the development of semiconductors. Today, semiconductor companies around the world are investing in semiconductor assembly and testing facilities in collaboration with Indian companies. India’s semiconductor mission is moving forward with the vision of meeting not only its domestic demand but also the needs of the world, he added.

Highlighting the primacy of technology in the factors that will make a developing nation developed, the Prime Minister said that in the development of digital technology, India is behind no developed nation. Listing the initiatives to link different sectors with technology, the Prime Minister mentioned platforms like PM Gatishakti in logistics, National Health Mission in health and Agri Stack in the agriculture sector. He mentioned huge investments in scientific research, quantum mission and national research foundation and promotion of indigenous designs and technology development.

Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the important aspect of cybersecurity and the safety of network infrastructure and recalled the discussion on ‘Global Threats of Cyber Security’ at the G20 Summit. Noting that self-reliance in the entire manufacturing value chain is extremely important for cyber security, the Prime Minister underlined that it becomes easier to maintain security when everything in the value chain belongs to the national domain, be it hardware, software or connectivity. Shri Modi stressed the need to carry out discussions at the India Mobile Congress about keeping the world’s democratic societies safe

The Prime Minister lamented the missed opportunities when it came to the adoption of new technologies in the past. He mentioned India’s IT sector where India showcased its talent in already-developed technologies. “This period of the 21st century is the time of India’s Thought Leadership”, Shri Modi emphasized and urged thought leaders to create new domains which can be followed by others. He gave the example of the UPI which is leading the entire world in digital payments system today. “India has the power of young demography and the power of vibrant democracy”, the Prime Minister remarked. He urged the members of the India Mobile Congress, especially young members, to move forward in this direction. “Today, when we are realizing the goal of becoming a developed India, the transition of moving forward as thought leaders can bring revolutionary changes in the entire sector”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Union Minister for Communications, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Shri Akash M Ambani, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Shri Sunil Bharti Mittal and Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The ‘100 5G labs initiative’, is an endeavor to realize the opportunities associated with 5G technology by encouraging the development of 5G applications which cater, both to India’s unique needs as well as the global demands. The unique initiative will foster innovation across various socioeconomic sectors like education, agriculture, health, power, transportation etc, and propel the country into the forefront of usage of 5G technology. The initiative is also a pivotal step for building a 6G-ready academic and start-up ecosystem in the country. More importantly, the initiative is a step towards the development of indigenous telecom technology which is critical for national security.

India Mobile Congress (IMC) is the largest telecom, media, and technology forum in Asia and will be held from 27th to 29th October, 2023. The event will act as a platform to highlight India’s incredible advancements in telecommunications and technology, bring forth significant announcements and provide an opportunity for start-ups to display their innovative products and solutions.

With the theme ‘Global Digital Innovation,’ the IMC 2023 aims to strengthen India’s position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of key cutting-edge technologies.  The three-day congress will highlight technologies such as 5G, 6G, and Artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss issues pertaining to the semiconductor industry, green technology, cybersecurity etc.

This year, IMC is introducing a startup program –  ‘Aspire’. It will foster connections between startups, investors, and established businesses with an aim to catalyze fresh entrepreneurial initiatives and collaborations.

IMC 2023 will be attended by over one lakh participants from about 22 countries including about 5000 CEO level delegates, 230 exhibitors, 400 startups, and other stakeholders.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot today. He performed pooja and darshan at Kanch Mandir. He received the blessings of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya of the Tulsi Peeth and attended a public function, where he released three books – ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya’, ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela’.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for performing puja and darshan of Shri Ram in multiple shrines and being blessed by saints, especially Jagadguru Ramanandacharya. He also mentioned releasing the three books namely ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya’, ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela’ and said that it will further strengthen the knowledge traditions of India. “I consider these books as a form of Jagadguru’s blessings”, he emphasized.

The Prime Minister said “Ashtadhyayi is a thousands-year-old text of India’s linguistics, India’s intellectuality and our research culture.” He highlighted the genius of Ashtadhyayi as it encapsulates grammar and science of language in pithy capsules. He said that many languages came and went but Sanskrit remains eternal. “Time refined Sanskrit but could never pollute it”, he said. mature grammar of Sanskrit lies in the base of this permanence, he said. Based on just 14 Maheshwara Sutras, this language has been the mother of Shastr and Sahstra (implements and scholarship). “Whatever national dimension you look at in India, you will witness Sanskrit’s contribution”, he said.

Throwing light on the efforts to uproot the culture and heritage of India during the thousand year old era of slavery, Shri Modi mentioned the alienation of Sanskrit language. He pointed out the slavery mentality which was carried forward by certain individuals resulting in a feeling of enmity towards Sanskrit. Prime Minister Modi lamented the mentality where knowing the mother tongue was praiseworthy for foreign countries but the same did not apply to India. “Sanskrit is not only the language of traditions, it is also the language of our progress and identity”, Shri Modi interjected as he highlighted the efforts to strengthen the language in the country. “Scriptures like Ashtadhyayi Bhashya will play a crucial role towards successful efforts in modern times”, he added.

Prime Minister Modi paid rich tributes to Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and mentioned his enormous wisdom and contributions. “This level of wisdom is never personal, this wisdom is national treasure”, the Prime Minister said. Swamiji received Padam Vibhushan in 2015. Referring to nationalistic and social aspects of Swami ji the Prime Minister remembered his active contribution in Swachh Bharat as one of the nine key ambassadors.

Shri Modi expressed happiness that national goals like cleanliness, health and clean Ganga are being realized now. He informed “Jagadguru Rambhadracharya ji has played a big role in fulfilling another dream of every countryman. The Ram temple for which you have contributed so much, in and outside the court, is also going to be ready”, the Prime Minister said as he mentioned the invitation received to participate in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

In the Amrit Kaal, the Prime Minister underlined that the nation is taking development and heritage along. “Chitrakoot has spiritual enlightenment as well as natural beauty”, Shri Modi said as he mentioned the emphasis on the development of places of pilgrimage. He mentioned Ken-Betwa Link Project, Bundelkhand Expressway, and the Defence Corridor and said that it will create new opportunities in the region. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed the belief that Chitrakoot will scale new heights of development and also bowed before Jagadguru Ramanandacharya.

Jagadguru Ramanandacharya of the Tulsi Peeth, Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan were among those present on the occasion.

Background

Tulsi Peeth is an important religious and social service institution in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. It was established by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in 1987. Tulsi Peeth is one of the leading publishers of Hindu religious literature.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the program marking the centenary birth year celebrations of late Shri Arvind Bhai Mafatlal in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh today. Shri Sadhguru Seva Sangh Trust was founded in 1968 by Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj. Shri Arvind Bhai Mafatlal was inspired by Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Trust. Shri Arvind Bhai Mafatlal was one of the leading entrepreneurs in post-independence India, who played an important role in the growth story of the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the saints have referred to the divine land of Chitrakoot as the abode of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman. Shri Modi mentioned performing darshan and pooja at Shri Raghubir Temple and Shri Ram Janki Temple a short while ago. He also spoke about paying reverence to Kamatgiri Parvat while on his way to Chitrakoot via helicopter and mentioned paying floral tributes to the statue of Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj. Prime Minister Modi expressed immense gratification for the darshan of Shri Ram and Janki, the guidance of the saints and the remarkable performance by the students of Shri Ram Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya on the occasion and said that the experience is overwhelming and beyond words. He thanked the Shri Sadhguru Seva Sangh Trust for organizing the centenary birth year celebrations of the late Shri Arvind Bhai Mafatlal on behalf of all oppressed, deprived, adivasis and poor. Shri Modi expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated wing of Jankikund Chikitsalaya would give a new lease of life to lakhs of poor and the ritual of serving the poor will reach greater lengths in the times to come. He also mentioned releasing a commemorative stamp in the honor of Late Shri Arvind Bhai Mafatlal which is a moment of immense satisfaction and pride.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the family is taking forward the work of Shri Arvind Mafatlal. The Prime Minister noted the gesture of choosing Chitrakoot as the venue of the centenary despite having various options.

The Prime Minister highlighted the glory and importance of Chitrakoot made eternal by the work of saints. The Prime Minister paid tributes to Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj and acknowledged his inspiration in his personal life. The Prime Minister also recalled the illustrious journey of Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj. He commented on the exalted nature of his social service seven decades ago when the area was almost completely covered in forests. The Prime Minister remarked that Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj established many institutions that are still serving humanity. Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj’s work during natural calamity was also remembered. “It is the quality of our nation that gives birth to great souls who go beyond self to universal”, Prime Minister Modi added.

Shri Modi cited the life of Arvind Mafatlal as an example of glory of the company of saints as he dedicated his life and made it into a resolution of service in the guidance of Param Pujya Ranchhoddasji Maharaj. The Prime Minister said that we should imbibe the inspirations of Arvind Bhai on this occasion. He recalled the dedication and talent of Arvind Bhai and said that it was he who established the country’s first petrochemical project. Prime Minister Modi underlined his contribution to industry and agriculture. Late Shri Mafatlal played a key role in reviving the glory of the traditional textiles industry and he was globally recognized for his contributions.

“Sacrifice is the most effective way to conserve one’s success or wealth”, the Prime Minister said as he emphasized that Arvind Bhai Mafatlal made it a mission and worked throughout his life. He underlined that many institutions like Shri Sadguru Seva Trust, Mafatlal Foundation, Raghubir Mandir Trust, Shri Ramdas Hanuman ji Trust, J J Group of Hospitals, Blind People Association are Charu Tara Arogya Mandal are working with the same principle and forwarding the ideals of ‘seva’ or service. He mentioned Shri Raghubir Mandir which serves food to lakhs of people and arranges monthly ration for lakhs of saints. He also spoke about the contributions of Gurukul in imparting education to thousands of children and the treatment of lakhs of patients in Janki Chikitsalaya. “It is proof of India’s power which gives energy to work tirelessly”, Shri Modi said. He also highlighted the training provided to the women in the rural industry sector.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that Sadhguru Netra Chikitsalaya is included among the top eye hospitals in the country and abroad and highlighted the progress made from a 12-bed hospital to treating 15 lakh patients every year. Speaking about the Swastha Drishti Samruddh Kashi campaign run by the organization in Kashi, the Prime Minister informed that door-to-door screening of more than 6 lakh people in and around Varanasi including surgeries and eye camp visits. Shri Modi took the opportunity to thank Sadhguru Netra Chakitsalay on behalf of all those who availed of the treatment.

The Prime Minister said while resources are important for service but dedication is paramount. He recalled Shri Arvind’s quality of working on the ground and remembered his work for the tribal belt of Bhiloda and Dahod. Shri Modi also described his fervour for service and humility. “As I came to know his work and personality I developed an emotional connection for his mission”, Shri Modi said.

The Prime Minister underlined that Chitrakoot is the workplace of Nanaji Deshmukh and his efforts in serving the tribal society are also a great inspiration for all. He emphasized that the country is making comprehensive efforts for the welfare of the tribal society by following those ideals and mentioned Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas being celebrated on the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. He also spoke about the development of tribal museums to glorify the contribution and heritage of the tribal society, Eklavya Residential Schools for the education of tribal children, and Policy decisions like the Van Sampada Act. “The blessings of Lord Shri Ram who embraces the tribal society is also associated with these efforts of ours. This blessing will guide us towards the goal of a harmonious and developed India”, he concluded.

Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chairman of Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust, Shri Vishad P Mafatlal and Trustee of Shri Raghubir Mandir Trust, Shri Rupal Mafatlal were present on the occasion.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Dikshant Parade of 75 RR batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, today. On this occasion, many dignitaries including the Governor of Telangana, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau and Director, CBI were present.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that today is a very important day for the trainees of 75 RR because they are those fortunate officers who will join the top leadership of Indian Police system during the centenary of the country’s independence and responsibility of the country’s internal security will be in their hands. He said that the 75th batch of Amrit Mahotsav of the Academy will have historical significance and these officers will make this occasion more historic by their hard work, devotion, sacrifice and dedication towards the country. Shri Shah said that when these officers would be leading the police forces of various states of the country, then nation will feel proud on the trainees of the 75th RR that they have left no stone unturned in ensuring the internal security of the country during their 25 years of service. Officer Trainees of 75 RR batch will have an important role in the direction of fulfilling the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s resolution of Amritkaal. When the country will be celebrating its centenary of independence, India will be leading the world in all fields, and all these officers will also have a huge contribution in it.

Union Home Minister said that Sardar Patel had laid the foundation of this academy very thoughtfully to take the country ahead. Our country has also completed 75 years of independence and has entered the period of Amritkaal. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called upon the 130 crore people of the country this this the time to take resolutions and convert them into achievements. Shri Shah said that these 25 years are the years of making the country first in the world in every field and establishing its rightful and glorious place in the world. During the Amritkaal, these officers have to play an important role to ensure internal security of the country, security of the borders and maintaining law and order. He said that after passing out from the academy, these officers will have to ensure that the Constitution is duly implemented in the country and all the people get the rights provided by it.

Shri Amit Shah said that we should always remember that the country’s first Home Minister and iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel not only united this country but also did many important things to keep it united. He said that Sardar Patel not only created a united India by merging more than 550 princely states of the country, but also laid a strong system by starting the IPS cadre. Shri Shah said that Sardar Patel had said that if the Union would not have a good All India Service, which has the freedom to express its views, then the Union would cease to exist. This sentence is like a guiding principle for the IPS cadre. He added that once Sardar Patel had said this institute has nothing to look back but has a lot to set a tradition for the future generations. When this academy was established, it had no history, but in these 75 years, the IPS officers passed out from here have created a bright and glorious history to strengthen the internal and border security of the country. It is the responsibility of the trainees of the 75th batch passing out from here today to take this history forward and add many golden chapters to it. He said that today, 175 trainees passing out from here after completing the basic course including 20 foreign officers from Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius and Nepal. There are 34 women officers among these 175 officer trainees.

Union Home Minister said that technology will play a very important role in handling internal security in the coming days, and that is why Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi constituted the Police Technology Mission. The objective of this mission is to make the Indian Police the most equipped in the world in terms of technology. We have to set up a system to make practical use of technology in policing and handling internal security and to keep the police always technologically two steps ahead of the criminal. He said that with all the experience and training here, when these officers will go to the field and interact with the public, then by combining this training with practical experience, they will be able to discharge their duties efficiently.

Shri Amit Shah said that today a woman officer has received the Best Officer Trainee Award and it is a matter of great pride for our country. He said that for the first time in the history of the Academy, a woman officer trainee Ms. Ranjita Sharma has got the opportunity to win the Squad of Honor of the IPS Association. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is progressing rapidly in women-led development. Modi government has recently ensured 33% reservation to ensure the participation of women in the country’s Parliament and State assemblies. Under the leadership of the women officers passing out today, Prime Minister Modi’s theme of Women-led Development will percolate to every village of the country.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that we have got independence after countless sacrifices and struggle. With the sacrifices of millions of people during the 90 years of freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947, today, after completing 75 years as an independent country, we stand proudly in front of the world. He said that many policemen have sacrificed their lives in this challenging journey lasting more than 7 decades. More than 36,500 police officers and jawans have made the supreme sacrifice keeping their duty paramount, that is why our country stands with pride before the world today. Shri Shah said that the sacrifice of those 36,500 police officers and jawans should be a source of inspiration for us.

Shri Amit Shah said that the country was facing the challenge of terrorism, Left Wing Extremism and Naxalite violence for a long time, but in the last 10 years, due to the efforts of our brave policemen, we have been successful in curbing them. He said that our challenges are not over yet and many new challenges like organized crime, cyber crime, interstate and international financial crime, interstate gangs are standing before us today. He said that we have to continue our fight with the same vigor against challenges like drug trafficking, weakening of the country’s economy by crypto currency, hawala business and fake currency business. Shri Shah said that today when the officers of this new batch are going to take their first step in service, our country has started moving towards a new era. He said that the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made watershed changes in the three laws of the British rule – CrPC, IPC and Evidence Act – and has placed three new criminal laws before the Parliament of the country. He said that soon all three new laws will be passed and on the basis of these laws our new criminal justice system will begin. He said after ending the era of laws made during the British period, India is entering a new era with new faith, hope and enthusiasm. The purpose of the old laws was to safeguard the government but the purpose of the new laws is to safeguard the rights of the public and to eliminate obstacles in the people’s access to those rights. Shri Shah said that with this fundamental change, the new officer trainees are getting an opportunity to lead in this changing era of criminal justice system through these three laws.

Union Home Minister said that it is the responsibility of trainee officers to implement these new laws in letter and spirit at the grassroots level. They have to understand the spirit of these laws and keep the public safe and have to protect their rights as well. Shri Shah said that terrorism and organized crime have been reinterpreted in the new law and many provisions have also been made to eliminate inter-state gangs. Apart from this, the police have been empowered by legalizing the technical provisions, the investigation process has been digitized and proper systems have been put in place to follow investigation charge sheet timeline and forensic provisions. He added that a time-bound plan has been prepared to increase the conviction rate under the new laws. Shri Shah said that through these laws many changes have also been made in the justice system. Home Minister asked the officer trainees to move beyond ‘Reacting and Responding’ policing to ‘Preventive, Predictive and Proactive’ policing and also to transform policing with time in the changing environment.

Shri Amit Shah said that sensitivity gives the Constitution its humane outlook and it is the responsibility of all of us to implement the spirit laid down in the Constitution by our Constitution makers with full sensitivity. He asked the police officers to always be sensitive towards the poor and weaker sections of the country and always be proactive in protecting their rights. Shri Shah said that we should focus on our duty and move forward without falling prey to fame. He told the police officers that while respecting the local language, tradition and history of the place of posting, they should maintain sensitivity with the people and move ahead by understanding the spirit of the law and rising above the bookish approach.

Union Home Minister said that the last 9 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have been very important for the internal security of our country. We have achieved huge success in improving the law and order situation in the three hotspot areas of the country – North-East, Left Wing Extremism areas and Jammu and Kashmir. He said that during the 10 years from 2004 to 2014, there were 33,200 violent incidents in these three hotspots, which have been reduced to 12,000 in the last 9 years. We have moved forward by registering a 63% reduction in violent incidents and 73% reduction in deaths. Shri Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has adopted the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and now we have to move beyond the policy of zero tolerance towards zero tolerance strategy and zero tolerance action.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the last 9 years, the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked to create databases in every field of internal security with the principle of One Data, One Entry. Arrangements for integration and mutual communication in various databases are also being made. Apart from this, work is also being done to increase the strength of all the agencies by equipping them with analytical tools. Under ICJS, CCTNS has been implemented in 99.93%, i.e. 16,733 police stations. 22,000 courts have been connected through e-Courts, data of about 2 crore prisoners is available through e-Prison, data of more than one crore prosecutions is available online through e-Prosecution, data of more than 17 lakhs is also available through e-Forensic. Records of more than 90 lakh fingerprints are available in NAFIS, a lot of data is also available in Integrated Monitoring of Terrorism, data of arrested narco offenders is available through NIDAN. He added that we have also made available Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in Crime Multi Agency Centre and Biometric Data in Prison Database. Shri Shah asked the police officers to work through all these databases and analytic tools and use Artificial Intelligence to always keep the police two steps ahead.

Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, said that the approach of government towards issues pertaining to Urban Transport has witnessed a significant change after 2014. The rapid Urbanisation has been embraced as an opportunity rather than a challlenge during this period, he said.

The Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of 16^th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference cum Expo 2023 here today. Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and Shri Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. were also present at the event.

During the event, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri shared his thoughts on the major transformation that country has gone through in the field of rail-based rapid transit systems. Speaking about the metro rail’s journey in India, he said that the pace of growth of metro network in the country has seen unprecedented increase in recent years. In 2014, only 248 kms of metro rail was operational in India. Merely in 9 years, 895 kms of metro lines are operational in 20 different cities today, he said.

The Minister said that at present, India’s metro network is the 3^rd largest in the world. In the next 2 to 3 years our metro network will surpass the operational length of the USA metro network, and become the 2^nd largest metro network in the world, he added.

Shri Puri said that the metro network has brought comfort, stability and security to the lives of our citizens. “I am happy to note that the metro network has a daily ridership of around 1 crore”, he said. He said that the ridership number is going to increase with ease of last mile connectivity, and other factors.

The Minister also noted the importance of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and Vande Bharat Trains in the regional and inter-city connectivity.

Highlighting the efforts of Government of India to overhaul Urban Transport in the country, the Minister said that a beginning in this direction has been made through initiatives such as FAME- I, FAME-II and PM-eBus Seva Scheme. He said that PM-e-bus Sewa scheme will augment city bus operations; while giving priority to cities that lack organised bus services. Adding further, he said that 10,000 e-Buses will be deployed on a PPP model in 169 cities alongside support for associated infrastructure, bus depot and behind the meter power infrastructure. The scheme also envisages environment-friendly initiatives like bus priority infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) based Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), Charging infrastructure, etc. under Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI).

Sharing his thoughts on the development of sustainable Urban Transport, Shri Puri highlighted that besides promoting Green Mobility through e-vehilces, the focus has also been placed on biofuel blending, clean energy alternatives -biogas, Green Hydrogen etc.

16^th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference cum Expo 2023

The 16^th UMI Conference & Exhibition 2023 is being organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Institute of Urban Transport (India) and with the support of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. from 27th – 29th October, 2023 at the Manekshaw Centre, Parade Road, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi. The Conference was inaugurated today by the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in the presence of other dignitaries and delegates. Senior officers from Central and State Governments, policy makers, Managing Directors of Metro Rail Companies, Chief Executives of transport undertakings, International experts, professionals, academicians and students are also participating in this event.

This year, the Conference is focusig on the theme of “Integrated and Resilient Urban Transport”. It will emphasize on designing and implementation of efficient, high quality, integrated and resilient Urban Transport systems in the cities. Rapid climate change and its impact on city transport system calls for integrated and resilient transport system to meet the mobility needs of public. The innovations have led to a wide range of transport options to emerge, thereby widening the choice available to commuters. The need of the hour is to strengthen the resilience of transport systems right from the planning stage.

Detailed day wise program of the UMI Conference is enclosed at Annex-I.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 7500 crores in sectors like health, rail, road, oil and gas in Shirdi, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra today. The multiple development projects include Ayush Hospital at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital; Electrification of Kurduwadi-Latur Road railway section (186 Km); 3rd & 4th railway lines connecting Jalgaon to Bhusaval (24.46 km); four laning of Sangli to Borgaon section of NH-166 (Package-I); and additional facilities at Manmad Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. He laid the foundation stone of the Maternal & Child Health Wing at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital. Shri Modi also distributed Ayushman cards and Svamitva cards to beneficiaries.

Among other projects, Shri Modi inaugurated the new Darshan Queue complex at Shirdi, dedicated to the nation the left bank (85km) canal network of the Nilwande Dam, and launched the ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana’ benefitting more than 86 lakh farmer-beneficiaries.

Earlier in the day, Shri Modi performed pooja and darshan at Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple, Shirdi and performed the Jal Pujan of Nilwande Dam.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that projects worth Rs 7500 crores are being inaugurated and foundation stones being laid with the blessings of Sai Baba. Referring to the work of Nilwande Dam which had been pending for 5 decades, the Prime Minister mentioned its inauguration today. He also expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to perform Jal Pujan at the site. Speaking about the Darshan Queue Complex at Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple, Shri Modi informed about laying its foundation stone in October 2018 and said that it will further increase the convenience for pilgrims from India and abroad.

The Prime Minister mentioned the sad demise of  Baba Maharaj Satarkar of the Warkari community this morning. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Baba Maharaj and recalled his work of social awareness by Kirtan and Pravachan which will keep on inspiring the generations to come.

“The true meaning of social justice is when the nation is free from poverty and the poor get ample opportunities”, the Prime Minister underlined as he reiterated the Government’s mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.  He underlined that the welfare of the poor is the highest priority of the double-engine government and informed about increasing the budget for the same as the country’s economy is expanding. He mentioned distributing 1 crore 10 lakh Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries in Maharashtra who will receive health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh where the Government is spending Rs 70,000 crores. He also informed about the government expenditure of more than Rs 4 lakh crores each for providing free ration to the poor and constructing pucca houses for them. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the said expenditure is six times more than what it was in the decade before 2014. To provide tapped water supply to the homes of the poor, the Prime Minister informed that the government has spent more than Rs 2 lakh crores. Under PM Svanidhi Scheme, he informed that street vendors are getting assistance up to thousands of rupees. Shri Modi also touched upon the newly launched PM Vishwakarma Scheme which aids lakhs of families of carpenters, goldsmiths, potters and sculptors with a government expenditure of more than Rs 13,000 crores.

Talking about the small farmers, the Prime Minister mentioned PM Kisan Samman Nidhi under which small farmers received 2 lakh 60 thousand crore rupees including 26 thousand crore rupees for the small farmers of Maharashtra. He expressed happiness that the Maharashtra Government has started ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana’ under which Maharashtra Shetkari families will get an extra 6000 rupees, meaning local small farmers will get 12,000 rupees of Samman Nidhi, he said.

Throwing light on the Nilwande project which was approved in 1970 and had been pending for 5 decades, the Prime Minister highlighted that it came to completion only after the present government came to power. “Those doing vote politics in the name of farmers have made you yearn for every drop of water”, he interjected, “Today Jal Pujan was performed here.” He mentioned that the Right Bank Canal will soon become operational. He also touched upon the Baliraja Jal Sanjeevani Yojana which is also proving to be a boon for the drought-affected areas of the state. He underlined that the central government is working towards completing 26 more irrigation projects in Maharashtra that have been pending for decades which will be of great benefit to the farmers in the region.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to the empowerment of farmers. The Prime Minister informed that in the 7 years foodgrain worth 13.5 lakh crore rupees was procured under MSP while this figure was a mere 3.5 lakh crore during the tenure of a senior leader in the earlier government. Oilseed and pulses worth 1 lakh 15 thousand crore were procured after 2014 compared to 500-600 crore rupees worth MSP procurement earlier. Direct Benefit transfer has removed corruption and leakage, he said.

Speaking about the recent Cabinet Decisions to increase the MSP for Rabi crops, Shri Modi informed that the MSP of gram has been increased by Rs 105 and that of wheat and safflower by Rs 150. He also mentioned that the MSP of sugarcane has been increased to Rs 315 per quintal. In the last 9 years, the Prime Minister informed that ethanol worth about Rs 70,000 crores has been purchased and the money has reached the sugarcane farmers. “To ensure timely payment to sugarcane farmers, assistance worth thousands of crores of rupees has been provided to sugar mills and cooperative societies”, he added.

The Prime Minister said “Our government is working to strengthen the cooperative movement. More than 2 lakh cooperative societies are being formed across the country.” To ensure better storage and old storage facilities PACs and cooperatives are being provided facilities. Small farmers are being organized through FPOs as more than 7500 FPOs are already functional.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said “Maharashtra has been a center of immense potential and possibilities. The faster Maharashtra develops, the faster India will develop.” Prime Minister Modi also recalled flagging off the Vande Bharat train connecting Mumbai and Shirdi and highlighted that the network of railways is continuously expanding in Maharashtra. He noted that movement on the Mumbai-Howrah rail route will become easier with the commencement of the third and fourth railway lines between Jalgaon and Bhusaval. Similarly, the construction of four-lane road from Solapur to Borgaon will improve the connectivity of the entire Konkan region benefitting the industries as well as sugarcane, grape and turmeric farmers in the region. “This connectivity will create a new path not only for transport but also for progress and economic development”, he concluded.

Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar were present on the occasion among others.

Background

Inaugurated by the Prime Minister, the new Darshan Queue complex at Shirdi is a state-of-the-art modern mega building envisaged to provide comfortable waiting areas for the devotees. It is equipped with several waiting halls with a cumulative seating capacity of more than ten thousand devotees. It provides air-conditioned public amenities like cloakrooms, toilets, booking counters, prasad counters, information center etc. The foundation stone of this new Darshan Queue Complex was laid by the Prime Minister in October 2018.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the left bank (85km) canal network of the Nilwande Dam. It will benefit 182 villages from 7 Tehsils (6 in Ahmednagar district and 1 from Nashik district) by facilitating pipe distribution networks of water.  The idea of Nilwande Dam was first conceived in 1970. It is being developed at a cost of about Rs 5177 crores.

The Prime Minister launched the ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana’. The Yojna will benefit more than 86 lakh beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in Maharashtra by providing an additional amount of Rs 6000 per year to them.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects including Ayush Hospital at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital; Electrification of Kurduwadi-Latur Road railway section (186 Km); 3rd & 4th railway line connecting Jalgaon to Bhusaval (24.46 km);  four laning of Sangli to Borgaon section of NH-166 (Package-I); and additional facilities at Manmad Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. He laid the foundation stone of the Maternal & Child Health Wing at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital. Shri Modi also distributed Ayushman cards and Svamitva cards to beneficiaries.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi performed Jal Pujan of Nilwande Dam in Shirdi, Maharashtra today. Shri Modi also took an onsite visit to the dam and released canal water.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Jal Pujan of Nilwande Dam is a pivotal moment that marks the end of an extended wait. It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to harnessing Jal Shakti for the greater good of the public.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi performed puja and darshan at Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra today.

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X:

“PM Narendra Modi prays at Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra.”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra and Goa on 26th October, 2023.

At around 1 PM, Prime Minister will reach Shirdi, Ahmednagar District, where he will perform pooja and darshan at Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple. He will also inaugurate the new Darshan Queue Complex at the temple. At around 2 PM, Prime Minister will perform the Jal Pujan of Nilwande Dam and dedicate a canal network of the dam to the nation. At around 3:15 PM, Prime Minister will attend a public programme in Shirdi, where he will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 7500 crore in sectors like health, rail, road and oil and gas.

At around 06:30 PM, Prime Minister will reach Goa, where he will inaugurate the 37th National Games.

PM in Maharashtra

The new Darshan Queue complex at Shirdi, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, is a state-of-the-art modern mega building envisaged to provide comfortable waiting areas for the devotees. It is equipped with several waiting halls with a cumulative seating capacity of more than ten thousand devotees. It has provision of air-conditioned public amenities like cloak rooms, toilets, booking counters, prasad counters, information centre etc. The foundation stone of this new Darshan Queue Complex was laid by the Prime Minister in October, 2018.

Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the left bank (85km) canal network of the Nilwande Dam. It will benefit 182 villages from 7 Tehsils (6 in Ahmednagar district and 1 from Nashik district) by facilitating pipe distribution networks of water.  The idea of Nilwande Dam was first conceived in 1970. It is being developed at a cost of about Rs 5177 crore.

During the public programme, Prime Minister will launch the ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana’. The Yojna will benefit more than 86 lakh beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in Maharashtra, by providing an additional amount of Rs 6000 per year to them.

Prime Minister will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects including Ayush Hospital at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital; Electrification of Kurduwadi-Latur Road railway section (186 Km); 3rd & 4th railway line connecting Jalgaon to Bhusaval (24.46 km);  four laning of Sangli to Borgaon section of NH-166 (Package-I); Additional facilities at Manmad Terminal of Indian Oil corporation Limited;

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Maternal & Child Health Wing at Ahmednagar Civil Hospital.

During the programme, Prime Minister will also distribute Ayushman cards and Svamitva cards to beneficiaries.

PM in Goa

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the sports culture in the country has undergone a sea change. With the help of continuous government support, the performance of athletes has witnessed tremendous improvement at the international level. Recognizing the significance of holding national level tournaments for identifying top performers and further enhancing the popularity of sports, the National Games are being held in the country.

Prime Minister will inaugurate the 37th National Games at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa on 26th October 2023. He will also address athletes taking part in the Games.

The National Games are being held in Goa for the very first time. The Games will be held from 26th October to 9th November. More than 10,000 athletes from across the country will compete in over 43 sports disciplines across 28 venues.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today witnessed Ram Leela at Dwarka in Delhi and saw Ravan Dahan.

Addressing on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that Vijaydashimi is a festival of victory of justice over injustice, of humility over arrogance and patience over anger. He said this is also a day of renewing pledges.

The Prime Minister noted that this time we are celebrating Vijay Dashmi exactly two months after the Chandrayaan landing. Referring to the Shastr Poojan tradition on this day, the Prime Minister emphasized that in India weapons are not used for annexation but for defence.  He said that Shakti Pooja means wishing for the happiness, well being, victory and glory of the entire creation. He emphasized the eternal and modern aspects of Indian philosophy. “We know ‘maryada’ (boundaries) of Ram as well as also how to defend our borders”, Prime Minister Modi said.

The Prime Minister said “the temple being built on the birthplace of Lord Ram is a symbol of victory for the patience of us Indians after centuries of waiting.” He said next Ram Navmi, prayers at the temple will spread happiness in the entire world. “Bhagawan Shri Ram bas aane hi wale hain”, Lord Ram’s arrival is imminent, the Prime MInister said. Recalling signs of arrival described in Ramcharitmanas, the Prime Minister mentioned similar signs now, such as India’s economy becoming the fifth largest economy, landing on moon, new Parliament Building, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. “India is today emerging as the world’s largest democracy as well as the most trusted democracy”, he said. As Lord Ram is coming under such auspicious signs, the Prime Minister said that “in a way, after 75 years of independence, India’s fortunes are now going to rise.”

He emphasized the need to stay vigilant  against the forces of pathologies that wreck harmony of the society, casteism and regionalism and thinking that is about selfishness instead of development of India. “We should take a pledge to end evils and discrimination in the society”, he said.

The Prime MInister reiterated the importance of the next 25 years for India. “We have to create an India of Lord Ram’s ideas. A developed India, which is self-reliant, a developed India, which gives the message of world peace, a developed India, where everyone has equal rights to fulfill their dreams, a developed India, where people feel a sense of prosperity and satisfaction. This is Ram Raj’s vision”, he said.

In this light, the Prime Minister asked everyone to take 10 resolutions such as saving water, promoting digital transactions, cleanliness,vocal for local, making quality products, seeing the country before thinking of foreign, promotion of natural farming,  prompting and adopting millets, fitness and finally “we will raise the social status of at least one poor family by becoming a member of their household.” The Prime MInister concluded “as long as there is even a single poor person in the country who does not have basic facilities, no house, electricity, gas, water, no treatment facilities, we will not rest.”

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on October 24, 2023, visited the forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh and carried out first-hand on-ground assessment of the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces there. He interacted with the troops deployed in the frontline locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and celebrated Dussehra with them. The Raksha Mantri expressed gratitude to the unyielding spirit, unwavering commitment and unparalleled courage of the troops, who are deployed on the borders in tough conditions, but always ensure that the nation and its people are safe. The entire nation is proud of the Armed Forces and is standing with them, he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh performed Shastra Puja with the troops at Tawang, where he reiterated that Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil. In his address, he described the righteousness and dharma of the brave Armed Forces personnel as the living testament to the ethos of the festival of Vijayadashmi.

The Raksha Mantri pointed out that the valour and commitment of the Armed Forces is one of the main reasons that India’s stature has grown on the international stage and it is now among the most powerful nations. Citing his recent tour to Italy, he stated that he paid a visit to Montone memorial (Perugia Province) which has been built to honour the contribution of Naik Yaswant Ghadge and other Indian soldiers who fought in the Italian campaign to liberate Montone in World War II. He added that not just Indians, but even Italian people pay their respects at the memorial, which is proof that the bravery of Indian soldiers is recognised globally.

In view of the current global scenario, Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that there is no option but to bolster the country’s security apparatus, underlining that all efforts are being made by the Government to strengthen the nation’s military prowess through indigenous production of defence equipment. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, giant strides have been made towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. Earlier, we used to rely on imports to upgrade our military. But today, a number of major weapons & platforms are being manufactured within the country. Foreign companies are being encouraged to share their technology and produce the equipment in India with domestic industry. In 2014, the value of defence exports was about Rs 1,000 crore, but today we are exporting defence equipment worth thousands of crores,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri also visited the Tawang War Memorial, where he laid a wreath and offered tributes to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1962 war. He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande; General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command Lt Gen RP Kalita; GOC, 4 Corps Lt Gen Manish Erry and other senior officers of the Indian Army.

Shri Rajnath Singh also visited the 4 Corps Headquarters at Tezpur in Assam. During the visit, he reviewed the operational readiness of the formation, which is deployed in one of the easternmost parts of the country. The Raksha Mantri was briefed on the infrastructure development along the LAC and the employment of cutting-edge military equipment and technology to enhance the operational efficiency of the troops deployed in the frontline. He commended the stellar work and yeoman services being rendered by all ranks of the Corps under challenging conditions.