IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Nov 18:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the three-day “Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv” in Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, which will culminate on the birth anniversary of Rani of Jhansi Laxmi Bai on Friday.
On concluding day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate several new initiatives of Ministry of Defence to the nation in a grand ceremony being organised in the precincts of Jhansi Fort on Friday.
Rani Laxmibai, was born into a Marathi Karhade Brahmin family in Varanasi and brought up in the household of the Peshwa Baji Rao II. She was the leader of the Indian Mutiny of 1857–58. Dressed as a man, she fought a fierce battle against the Britishers.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Singh termed the festival as a shining example of the coordination and determination of the Centre and state government. He paid rich tributes to all the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the Nation. He termed Rani Lakshmi Bai, as the epitome of bravery and courage and said that the government has taken major steps to empower women in all spheres including representation in the armed forces.
As the country is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of Independence, Singh that today Independence means to become ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in the development journey. He linked the government’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas of “Poorna Swaraj”(total freedom) and Swadeshi.
Singh emphasised that to bolster national security apparatus is of paramount importance to the country and said that India cannot fulfil its strategic and security needs by relying on other countries. The government has been striving to achieve ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and the focus is on ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, he added.
He elaborated on the structural and organisational reforms in the defence sector, including corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, setting up of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, increase in FDI and draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020. He expressed confidence that these steps will not only increase the country’s strength, but will also provide a roadmap to the Indian defence manufacturing for the future. He mentioned Rs 50,000 crore order from the Armed Forces to Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) and termed it a historic deal which will take the Indian Aerospace sector to greater heights.
Singh said, in the last seven years, the defence exports have crossed Rs 38,000 crore mark. Joining of more than 10,000 SMEs in the defence sector and increase in research and development, start-up and employment in the defence sector are a result of the policies rolled out by the Government.
He lauded the efforts of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in establishing an environment of security and law and order in the state. He said that the UP has promoted local industries through initiatives like ‘One district, one product’, which is a role-model for the rest of the country.
The inauguration ceremony began with a lamp lighting ceremony by Singh and Yogi Adityanath. Union Ministers-Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Ram Naresh Agnihotri, UP Manohar Pant, Jhansi MP Anurag Sharma, officials from the Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence and state government were present on the occasion.