Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’ in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on November 19, 2021. (PIB)
Jhansi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2021, said that India is working to make its forces self-reliant.
He was addressing the ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’ (national defense dedication festival) here. The Prime Minister also extended warm wishes for the Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Kartik Purnima, and Dev-Deepawali.
With the historical Jhansi fort behind him, the Prime Minister said that India never lost any battle due to lack of valor.
“If Rani Laxmibai had resources and modern weapons at par with the British, then the history of the country’s independence might have been different. For a long time, India has been among the largest arms buyer countries in the world. But today the mantra of the country is – Make in India, Make for the world. Today India is working to make its forces self-reliant. Jhansi will be a major player in this enterprise,” PM Modi said.
The Prime minister added that events like ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’ will go a long way in creating an environment of Aatmnirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector.
The Prime Minister remarked that today, on the one hand, the strength of our forces is increasing, but at the same time, the ground is also being prepared for the capable youth to protect the country in the future.
“The 100 Sainik Schools, which are starting, will work in the coming times to give the future of the country in powerful hands. The government has started admission of daughters in Sainik Schools. In 33 Sainik Schools, the admission of female students has already started from this session. Daughters like Rani Laxmibai will also emerge from Sainik Schools, who will take the responsibility of defense, security, and development of the country on their shoulders.”
The Prime Minister also remembered Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand, son of Jhansi, and talked about the renaming of the highest award in sports excellence after the Hockey legend.
Prime Minister Modi dedicated several new initiatives of the Ministry of Defence to the Nation in a grand ceremony celebrating ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ organised in the precincts of Jhansi Fort. These projects include Launch of NCC Alumni Association, the Prime Minister was registered as the first member of the association; Launch of National Programme of Simulation Training for NCC Cadets; Kiosk to pay tribute to the fallen heroes at National War Memorial; Mobile app of National War Memorial; DRDO Designed and Developed Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite ‘Shakti’ for Indian Naval Ships;Light Combat Helicopter and drones. He also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 400 crore project of Bharat Dynamics Ltd at Jhansi Node of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor.
He also laid the foundation stone of the 600 MW Ultramega Solar Power Park at Garautha in Jhansi. It is being constructed at a cost of over Rs 3000 crore, and will help provide the dual benefits of cheaper electricity and grid stability. The Prime Minister also inaugurated Atal Ekta Park in Jhansi. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the park has been built at a cost of over Rs 11 crore, and is spread across an area of about 40,000 square metres. It will also house a library, as well as a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The statue has been built by the renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, the man behind the Statue of Unity.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt were also present on the occasion. (Press Release)
