Narendra Modi Archives - Page 12 of 19 - Lokmarg

We Are Taught History Written Under Conspiracy During Colonial Era: Modi

By LokMarg 25th November 2022

Stressing on the need to rewrite India’s history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that despite country’s rich history of victory and sacrifice, colonial-era history is taught in educational institutes.

While speaking at the 400th birth anniversary celebration of Lachit Barphukan, the Prime Minister said that India’s history was distorted deliberately.
“In every corner of the country, Bravehearts of Maa Bharati faced the oppressors and sacrificed their lives. This history was deliberately hidden. Is the valour of Lachit Barphukan not important? Are the sacrifices of thousands of people in Assam against the Mughals not important?” said PM Modi.

He said that there was a need after independence to fight the agenda of those ruling over us. But that was not done.

Unfortunately, even after independence, we were taught the same history that was created under a conspiracy during the colonial era. After independence, it was needed to change the agenda of those who colonised us but it wasn’t done,” said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi said that India’s history is not just about colonialism but it is a history of warriors.

“For centuries, it was attempted to tell us we are people who always get looted, beaten, and lost. India’s history is not just about colonialism, it’s a history of warriors. India’s history is about displaying valour against oppressors, about victory, sacrifice, and great tradition,” he said.

He further said that today India has broken the shackles of colonialism and is moving forward, celebrating our heritage and remembering our heroes with pride.

“Today, India is not only celebrating its varied heritage but also remembering its braveheart unsung heroes,” he added.

“Assam’s history is a matter of great pride in India’s journey. We believe in uniting the various thoughts, beliefs, and cultures of India. India has always valued its rich and cultural heritage; we have always protected our spiritual and cultural principles. That’s what makes us a marvellous civilization.”

The Prime Minister said India has the ability to give a befitting reply to those who practice atrocities.

“India’s history is the history of warriors, the history of victory, the history of sacrifice, selflessness, and bravery. Each and every youth of India is a warrior when it comes to saving their cultural heritage from any external forces,” he said.

While addressing today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had asked historians to highlight the achievements of leaders like Lachit Barphukan, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, and Durgadas Rathore among others to show history in a new light.

“Humble request to our historians that India isn’t just the story of Aurangzeb, Babar, Jahangir, or Humayun. India is of Lachit Barphukan, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Durgadas Rathore. We should make an effort to see it in a new light. It will fulfill our dream to be a Vishwa Guru,” Sarma said.

This comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a similar statement, saying no one can stop rewriting history adding that Indian history is twisted and inaccurately written, and appealed to historians and research scholars to rewrite it.

“I have always heard that our history is twisted and inaccurately written. It might be true, but who can now stop us from writing about our glorious history? We have to take the courage, rewrite and present our history before the world,” the Union Home Minister said.

Shah appealed to the historians and research scholars attending the function to get over this narrative that Indian history is twisted and inaccurately written.

He asked them to write about 30 empires that ruled for more than 150 years in any part of the country and 300 such great personalities who fought and sacrificed themselves during the country’s freedom struggle.

Born on 24th November 1622 in Charaideo, Lachit Barphukan was known for his extraordinary military intelligence in defeating the Mughals, thereby halting the expanding ambitions of Aurangzeb in the Battle of Saraighat.

On November 24, each year, Lachit Diwas is celebrated state-wide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.

A flagship event was organized by the Centre at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to showcase the life of one of the greatest warriors of eastern India and celebrate his achievements outside his home state to pay nationwide tribute on the leader’s 400 birth anniversary. (ANI)

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Modi Surprises BJP Workers At Kamalam; Enjoys Light Chat

By LokMarg 21st November 2022

After power-packed campaigning and addressing four rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chose to go to ‘Kamalam’, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Gandhinagar, and spend some time with party workers and colleagues.

While his sudden visit was surprising for many, it was a pleasant meeting for quite a few who spent a couple of decades working for the party.

Sources told ANI that it was a “light and fun” conversation as the Prime Minister walked into the Kamalam office and instead of going into a room, he chose to sit in the open area and on the benches. Initially, only a few people who were working in the party office late in the night came and welcomed the Prime Minister. However, PM Modi asked that everyone who was there in the party office should be called.

Much of the conversation between the Prime Minister and party workers were on how each of them was doing and whether they were maintaining good health.

Modi, who is known to focus on the tiniest of details, even checked with party workers whether their food gets arranged properly, as most of them work at the party headquarters for long hours, especially during the elections time.

A source told ANI that the youth workers who have been associated with the BJP for not long were really impressed to see that the Prime Minister addressed most of the old party workers by their names and even joked with them rekindling the memories that dated back years ago.

In fact, some woman workers who were at the party office and interacted with the Prime Minister also got emotional with PM Modi’s gesture and the kind of love and respect how he had for his party colleagues despite being in such a high office, a source said.

PM Modi spent over 40 minutes in the party office where he was accompanied by Gujarat BJP state president CR Paatil, Gujarat MOS Home Harsh Sanghvi, and party general secretary Pardeep Singh Vaghela, amongst others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in poll-bound Gujarat, on Sunday addressed rallies in Veraval, Dhorarji, Amreli, and Botad.

Earlier on Sunday, he reached the Somnath temple to offer prayers.

The Assembly polls in Gujarat will be conducted in two phases, on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will take place, along with those of Himachal Pradesh, on December 8.

The state has been a BJP stronghold for a long and the party has set its sights on returning to power with a handsome majority this time as well.

However, it faces a stiff electoral challenge from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has named Isudan Gadhvi as its chief ministerial candidate.

Congress is also hoping to put its best electoral foot forward to unseat the BJP government. (ANI)

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Polls To Decide Gujarat Fate In Next 25 Years: Narendra Modi

By LokMarg 20th November 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Assembly elections in Gujarat will determine where the state will be in the next 25 years.

Addressing a public rally in the Botad district of Gujarat on Sunday, the PM said it was for voters to shape the destiny of the state in the coming years.

Exhorting people to vote the BJP back to power in the western state, the PM, during his 30-minute-long speech in his native tongue, Gujarati, said, “This election is not only for the next five years, it will determine what Gujarat looks like in the next 25 years.”

The PM’s visit to the Botad district was part of a jam-packed campaign schedule on Sunday.

However, he did visit the Somnath temple earlier on Sunday and offered prayers.

Later, at a separate public rally at Dhorarji, the Prime Minister took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his image with social activist Medha Patkar on the sidelines of the Maharashtra leg of the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

Without naming Rahul, the PM said, “You would have seen a picture published in the newspaper of a Congress leader standing with those who oppose the Narmada Project. You should ask them with what face are they coming to seek votes from you. They did everything to stall the Narmada project for decades together and ensured that no money, including from the World Bank, came to Gujarat. They maligned the image of Gujarat.”

He said the matter eventually went to court and the woman, who spearheaded the movement against the Narmada project, was pictured along with the Congress leader.

“This shows that you (Rahul) are only working to destoy Gujarat,” PM Modi said at Dhoraji.

The Assmeboy polls in Gujarat will be conducted in two phases, on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will take place, along with those of Himachal Pradesh, on December 8.

The state has been a BJP stronghold for long and the party has set its sights on returning to power with a handsome majority this time as well.

However, it faces a stiff electoral challenge from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has named Isudan Gadhvi as its chief ministerial candidate.

Congress is also hoping to put its best electoral foot forward to unseat the BJP government. (ANI)

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First handshake Since Galwan: Modi, Xi Meet At G20

By LokMarg 15th November 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali, Indonesia.

Both the leaders exchanged pleasantries at the high-profile dinner.
Notably, this is the first handshake since China’s Peoples Liberation Army and the Indian Army’s standoff in eastern Ladakh in April 2020.

The relations between India and China soured following a standoff in April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger Area, Galwan Valley, Hot Springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June.

In June 2020, the two armies were engaged in a violent clash that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least three Chinese troops.

PM Modi and Xi exchanged greetings at the G20 dinner.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for improving connectivity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, he maintained a safe distance from Xi Jinping.

PM Modi and President Jinping shared the world stage for the first time after clashes in the Galwan Valley. The tension along the Indo-China border was evident from the distance that the two leaders maintained from each other at the summit.

Moreover, PM Modi also met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the G20 dinner. He will be holding bilateral meetings with leaders of Indonesia, Spain, France, Singapore, Germany, Italy, Australia and the UK.

He is expected to hold bilateral talks with at least 8-9 world leaders on Wednesday.

Earlier, PM Modi and US President Joe Biden expressed satisfaction about the close cooperation between India and US in new groupings such as the Quad, and I2U2 and reviewed the India-US strategic partnership on the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali on Tuesday.

Both sides discussed close cooperation in future-oriented sectors like critical and emerging technologies, advanced computing, and artificial intelligence, an official statement by Prime Minister’s office read.

Furthermore, PM Modi also welcomed support for India’s G20 Presidency and expressed views on focus areas of the G20.

PM Modi also met with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte during the ongoing G20 Summit in Bali, calling it an excellent interaction.

“Excellent interaction with @MinPres Mark Rutte during the @g20org Summit,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

He also met the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and exchanged views on boosting India-Senegal ties. Moreover, PM Modi also interacted with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, and Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s Deputy managing director.

“Insightful deliberations with President @Macky Sall on boosting India- Senegal ties and deepening cooperation with Africa. @PR Senegal” tweeted PM Modi.

PM Narendra Modi also met his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

“With my friend President @EmmanuelMacron during the @g20org Summit earlier today,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

WHO Chief and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also briefly interacted on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali.

Sharing a picture of his meeting with PM Modi on Twitter, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Thank you #India Prime Minister @narendramodi for your collaboration with @WHO on hosting and building the global traditional health centre. Together for #HealthForAll!”

The 17th edition of the G20 Summit will focus on key global concern issues under the theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger.’ (ANI)

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We Are 90 Nautical Miles Close: Modi On India-Indonesia Ties

By LokMarg 15th November 2022

Highlighting the close cultural ties between India and Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said, “We are not 90 nautical miles away, we are 90 nautical miles close.”

Addressing a community program in Bali, Indonesia on the accomplishments of the Indian diaspora, he said, “India and Indonesia have an enduring partnership. We are not 90 nautical miles away, we are 90 nautical miles close.”

“India and Indonesia both have many similarities in their cultures. On Sankranti, beautiful and colourful kites fill the skies of both nations,” added PM Modi.

PM Modi also referred to a unique kite exhibition that he attended with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta last year.

Lauding the Indian diaspora in Bali, he said, “The Indian diaspora living in Bali have contributed to the growth of Indonesia across various fields such as art, engineering, agriculture, and even the film industry.”

Speaking about India-Indonesia relations, he said, “People often say, ‘It is a small world.’ This is true for India and Indonesia. Relations between both nations have prospered over centuries.”

He also referred to Bali Yatra as happening in the Indian city of Cuttack in Odisha.

“As I speak to you in Bali and we sing songs of Indonesian traditions, 1500 km away from here in India’s Cuttack, Bali Yatra Mahotsav is going on – Bali Jatra. This Mahotsav celebrates thousands of years old India-Indonesia trade relations,” said PM Modi.

“When people of Indonesia see photos of this year’s Bali Jatra on the internet, they will be proud and happy. Due to the issues arising due to COVID, some hurdles had cropped up. After several years, Bali Jatra Mahotsav is being celebrated on a grand scale with mass participation in Odisha,” he added.

PM Modi was greeted by people who chanted “Modi, Modi” at the Indian community event in Bali.

He also tried his hands at traditional Indonesian musical instruments.

He compared the cultural and geographical similarities between the two nations.

“If India has the Himalayas, Indonesia has Mount Agung; if India has Ganga, Indonesia has Tirta Gangga – we are united through cultures and traditions,” said PM Modi.

Speaking about Operation Samudra Maitri, he said, “Relations between India and Indonesia stand strong during both good and difficult times. In 2018, when Indonesia was affected by an earthquake, we immediately started operation Samudra Maitri.”

“When the cultures are similar when the vision for humanity is similar, then the paths to development also coincide,” he added. (ANI)

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Modi Meets UK’s Sunak For First Time At G20 Summit

By LokMarg 15th November 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met his United Kingdom counterpart Rishi Sunak after assuming office for the first time on the sidelines of the 17th edition of the G20 Summit.

“Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @RishiSunak in conversation during the first day of the @g20org Summit in Bali,” PM Modi’s Office said in a tweet.
This is the first face-to-face meeting that took place between both leaders. Earlier, in October, PM Modi and Sunak spoke on the phone and emphasized the importance of an early conclusion of “a balanced and comprehensive” Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

PM Modi arrived in Bali on Monday and met President of the Republic of Senegal Macky Sall, Netherland’s PM Mark Rutte and US President Joe Biden.

“Deliberations with an important developmental partner in Africa. PM @narendramodi interacted with President @Macky_Sall, the President of Senegal and Chairman of the African Union. @PR_Senegal,” PMO tweeted.

PMO also said, “Multilateral summits present wonderful opportunities for leaders to exchange views on diverse issues. Prime Ministers @narendramodi and Mark Rutte interact during the @g20org Summit in Bali.”

Earlier today, PM Modi addressed the G20 working session on Food and Energy Security session and reiterated India’s long-standing position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine and said “‘We have to find a way to return to the path of the ceasefire” in Kyiv.

“I have repeatedly said that we have to find a way to return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy in Ukraine,” PM said.

“Over the past century, the Second World War wreaked havoc in the world. After that, the leaders of that time made a serious effort to take the path of peace. Now it’s our turn. The onus of creating a new world order for the post-Covid period lies on our shoulders. The need of the hour is to show concrete and collective resolve to ensure peace, harmony, and security in the world,” he added.

Referring to India as the “holy land of Buddha and Gandhi” PM Modi said that he is confident that the next year when G20 meets they will all agree to convey a strong message of peace to the world.

PM Modi started his speech by congratulating Indonesia for giving effective leadership to the G-20 in a challenging global environment. He further said that Climate change, the Covid pandemic, the developments in Ukraine, and the global problems associated with it have created havoc in the world.

“Global supply chains are in ruins. There is a crisis of essentials and essential goods all over the world. The challenge for the poor citizens of every country is more severe. Everyday life was already a struggle for them. They do not have the financial capacity to deal with the double whammy. Due to the double whammy, they lack the financial capacity to handle it. We should also not hesitate to acknowledge that multilateral institutions such as the UN have been unsuccessful on these issues. And we have all failed to make suitable reforms to them. Therefore, today the world has greater expectations from the G-20, and the relevance of our group has become more significant,” PM Modi added.

Talking about the problems during the pandemic situation, PM said that India had ensured the food security of its 1.3 billion citizens. At the same time, food grains were also supplied to many countries in need. The current shortage of fertilizers in terms of food security is also a huge crisis.

He further said that the fertilizer shortage “is tomorrow’s food crisis,” and the world will not have a solution.

PM Modi said that all the G20 countries have to build mutual agreement to maintain the supply chain of both manure and food grains stable and assured.

“In India, for sustainable food security, we are promoting natural farming and re-popularising nutritious and traditional foodgrains like millets. Millets can also solve global malnutrition and hunger. We all must celebrate the International Year of Millets with great enthusiasm next year,” he added. (ANI)

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Modi, Biden Share Warm Hug At Bali

By LokMarg 15th November 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Tuesday shared a warm hug as the G20 Summit began in Bali.

In a photo shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders are seen shaking hands
“PM @narendramodi and @POTUS @JoeBideninteract during the @g20org Summit in Bali. G20 working session on Food and Energy Security,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.

The two leaders will participate in the G20 working session on Food and Energy Security today.

PM Modi also greeted and shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Earlier today, PM Modi was greeted by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo at the venue.

Upon his arrival in Bali on Sunday night, PM Modi received a traditional welcome.

“Grateful to the Indian community for the warm welcome in Bali!” the prime minister tweeted.

The 17th edition of the G20 Summit will extensively focus on key issues of global concern under the theme of ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’.

As part of the G20 Summit Agenda- Three working sessions will be held on food and energy security, health, and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with leaders of several other participating countries on the sidelines of the summit and review the progress in India’s bilateral relations with them.

According to the departure statement of the PM released by the Prime Minister’s Office, “India’s G20 Presidency will be grounded in the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth One Family One Future’, which underlines the message of equitable growth and shared future for all.”

Indonesia’s President will hand over the G20 Presidency to India at the closing ceremony of the Bali summit. India will officially assume the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022. PM Modi will extend personal invitations to G20 members and other invitees at the G20 summit scheduled to be held in India in 2023. (ANI)

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Modi Flags Off Vande Bharat Express, Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train In Bengaluru

By LokMarg 11th November 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express at Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station in Bengaluru.

This is the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India.
“It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai and the Tech and Startup hub of Bengaluru and the famous tourist city of Mysuru,” the PMO said.

PM Modi also flagged Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR railway station in Bengaluru.

Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi.

“The pilgrims will be provided with comfortable stay and guidance for visiting Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj,” the PMO said.

The Prime Minister paid floral tributes to the statues of saint poet Kanakadasa and Maharshi Valmiki at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Later, at around 11:30 am, PM Modi will inaugurate Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport. Thereafter, at around 12 noon, he will unveil the 108 feet bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, followed by a public function in Bengaluru at around 12:30 am. At around 3:30 pm, PM Modi will attend the 36th Convocation ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore. The terminal will double the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 5-6 crore passengers per annum, from the current capacity of about 2.5 crores, according to the PMO.

Terminal 2 is designed as a tribute to the Garden city of Bengaluru and the passenger experience is meant to be a “walk in the garden”. Passengers will travel through 10,000+ sqmts of green walls, hanging gardens and outdoor gardens.

“The Airport has already established a benchmark in sustainability with 100 percent usage of renewable energy across the campus. Terminal 2 has been created with sustainability principles woven into the design. Based on the sustainability initiatives, Terminal 2 will be the largest terminal in the world to be pre-certified platinum rating by US GBC (green building council) prior to commencing operations. The theme of ‘Naurasa’ unites all the commissioned artworks for Terminal 2. The artworks reflect the heritage and culture of Karnataka as well as the broader Indian ethos,” the PMO said.

Overall, the design and architecture of Terminal 2 have been influenced by four guiding principles: Terminal in a garden, sustainability, technology, and art and culture.

The Prime Minister will unveil a 108-meter-long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. It is being built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru.

“Conceptualized and sculpted by Ram V Sutar of Statue of Unity fame, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue,” PMO said. (ANI)

Morbi Collapse: Court Sends Oreva MD Jaysukh Patel To Judicial Custody

Morbi Municipal Corporation Chief Officer Suspended

By LokMarg 4th November 2022

Chief Officer of Morbi Nagar Palika Sandipsinh Zala, has been suspended over dereliction in the Morbi mishap, where a century-old bridge collapsed, sources said on Friday.

The administration of Gujarat’s Morbi suspended the Chief Officer of Morbi Nagar Palika Sandipsinh Zala, following an investigation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the bridge collapse site in Gujarat’s Morbi.

The Prime Minister met those who were involved in rescue and relief operations at the Machchhu river bridge collapse site. PM Modi, along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel also visited the Civil Hospital in Morbi to meet the injured.

At least 135 people, including women and children, were killed and over 100 are receiving treatment for their injuries sustained after a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, plunging people into the Machchhu River.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar, on Monday to review the situation in Morbi.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the rescue and relief operations that have been underway ever since the unfortunate mishap took place in Morbi. All aspects relating to the tragedy were discussed.

Prime Minister emphasized ensuring that those affected get all possible assistance, a PMO release said.

The high-level meeting was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Bhai Patel, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary and DGP of Gujarat, along with other top officials including from the Home Department of the state and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority.

The Prime Minister had said earlier that there will be no laxity in rescue and relief operations.

The Gujarat government has constituted a five-member committee to probe the bridge collapse incident.

Nine persons including officials of Oreva, the company that renovated the bridge, ticket sellers, and security men have been arrested for the Morbi bridge collapse.

In the latest development, the search and rescue operation was called off on Thursday night, five days after a 143-year-old suspension bridge collapsed into the Machchu river claiming at least 135 lives, said the official.

State Commissioner of Relief Harshad Patel said that no more victims were reported missing so the rescue operation was called off. (ANI)

Modi Lays Foundation Of C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Unit In Vadodara

By LokMarg 30th October 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Gujarat, laid the foundation stone of the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara today.

PM Modi was felicitated and presented with a memento by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Tata Sons chairperson N Chandrasekaran at the occasion.

The C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force will be manufactured by Tata-Airbus, said Defence Ministry officials.

Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports, as per Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Today, for the first time in the country, the foundation stone of an aircraft manufacturing facility is being laid by the private sector. It is certainly a matter of pride for the defense sector as well as for the entire country.”

“It is not just a foundation stone but a milestone in the defense sector’s ‘Atmanirbharta’ journey. C-295 aircraft manufactured at this facility will be state-of-the-art aircraft with superior capabilities and global standards. It will significantly enhance the logistic capability of the Indian Air Force,” Singh added.

With the launch of the C295 aircraft manufacturing facility, India will enter an illustrious league of about only a dozen nations with the capacity to manufacture military transport aircraft. -Currently, the US, Japan, UK, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and Japan has that capacity.

Tata-Airbus combine had said that C-295 manufacturing is “the first Make in India aerospace program in the private sector involving the full development of a complete industrial ecosystem; from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.”

Under the terms of the deal, 16 C-295 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025 in flyaway condition, while the remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured at the Vadodara facility.

In another first, “indigenous content in the planes will be the highest ever in India, and 96 percent of the work that Airbus does in Spain will now be done at the new facility.”

The Defence Ministry said this project “offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter the technology-intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.”

Further, 13,400 parts, 4600 sub-assemblies, and all significant component assemblies will be manufactured by 25 domestic MSME suppliers spread across seven states. All these 56 aircraft will be fitted with an indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

As per the Allied Market Research report, the military transport aircraft industry is set to reach USD 45 billion industry size by 2030. Tata-Airbus facility is due to complete its IAF commitment by 203 products and start exporting its products to other nations as well.

Given the fact that the military transport aircraft industry is a much more robust and technologically advanced machine than commercial airliners, C295 manufacturing will open up prospects for the development of domestic commercial aircraft manufacturing will pick up. Indian airline companies are one of the biggest buyers of commercial aircraft with an ever-expanding order book of 1,100 aircraft since 2011.

Demand for commercial aircraft coupled with the C295 aircraft manufacturing facility and associated supply chain will create the required ecosystem to support the development of the commercial aircraft manufacturing industry in India.

The Vadodara facility will be initially geared to manufacture 8 aircraft per year, but it has been designed such that it can also cater to the additional needs of Indian armed forces or exports.

As per Defence Ministry, following the delivery of 56 aircraft to IAS, the combine will be allowed to sell India-built C295 aircraft to civil operators and to countries cleared by the government. It is believed that the Vadodara facility will replicate the success of Brahmos in missile exports.

Big boost to the Make in India: India has embarked on a massive transformation of its defense sector through the ambitious Make in India program of the Modi government. Several projects for the domestic manufacturing of various defense platforms like missiles, field guns, tanks, aircraft carriers, drones, fighter planes, tanks, and helicopters are currently underway and are fulfilling the defense modernization needs of the Indian armed forces.

However, military transport aircraft was one of the critical missing links in the entire defense industrial complex chain. The JV between Tata and Airbus has plugged that missing piece and will significantly boost the Make in India program of the Narendra Modi government. The Indian Armed forces will no longer have to depend on the old Avro planes of the 1960 generation for their transportation needs. (ANI)