Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the world saw a glimpse of ‘Make in India’ and indigenous weapon systems in Operation Sindoor, which he asserted is not over yet.
Addressing a public meeting in Kanpur after inaugurating and launching development projects worth Rs 47,600 crore, Modi said domestically manufactured arms and BrahMos missiles caused massive destruction deep inside the enemy territory.
“This new power has emanated from our pledge of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India),” he said.
“There was a time when India was dependent upon foreign countries for its military requirements and national security… we took the initiative to change the situation,” he said, adding the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign also espoused national prestige.
“It is a matter of pride for UP that it is playing a big role in India’s defence sector self-reliance,” Modi underlined.
The PM said the Kanpur ordnance factory as well as seven other ordinance units have been transformed into modern plants.
The development of UP Defence Industrial Corridor, which also has a node in Kanpur, is boosting India’s defence paradigms, while catalysing investment in defence manufacturing, he added.
Modi said BrahMos missiles and AK-203 assault rifles are being manufactured in UP, which has emerged as a major industrial and investment hub.
“Kanpur and UP will propel India as a big defence ware exporter. New factories will be set up, big ticket investment will come and thousands of youth will get job opportunities,” Modi said in the presence of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
He lashed out at previous governments for neglecting industries, which forced outward migration of the business community.
Today, UP is a leading state in terms of international airports, highways, railways and expressways, he noted.
Meanwhile, the PM said his government had launched the National Manufacturing Mission to foster industrial growth.
“Earlier, the MSMEs were so defined that they shuddered to expand. But, we changed the old definitions by increasing their turnover and scale parameters,” he said.
He said the government has addressed the issue of credit flow to the MSMEs while also giving a leeway to the youth for accessing business loans.
“We are creating an enabling ecosystem for MSMEs, and procedures are being simplified,” he added.
Referring to Kanpur’s traditional leather and hosiery sector, he said UP’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme was bolstering such industries.
Meanwhile, Modi said his government stood firmly with the middle class to fulfill their aspirations.
“In this year’s budget, up to Rs 12 lakh has been exempt from income tax. This gives crores of middle class households new confidence and power,” he added.