Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated IFFCO’s Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and many other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Addressing the inauguration program as the chief guest, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah greeted the countrymen on Dussehra and said that Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of good over evil in our culture. He said that this is the day when Lord Shri Ram had killed Ravana and Mahishasura was also killed on this day. He added that today is also the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter Captain Lakshmi Sehgal of Azad Hind Fauj. She, along with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, bravely led the freedom struggle.

Shri Amit Shah said that today is a very important day for the entire Western India including Gujarat as IFFCO’s Nano DAP (Liquid) plant has been inaugurated at Kalol in Gandhinagar district. Minister of Cooperation, while congratulating the IFFCO team for taking India first in the world in Nano Urea and Nano DAP, said that India is an agricultural country blessed with large and fertile cultivable land and climate suitable for three to four crops, a combination not to be found anywhere else in the world. He said that India is the only country where in the last 75 years we have developed such a system that farmers can do farming every month.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that it is the responsibility of the cooperative institutions of India to bridge the gap between the requirement and production of food grains in the country. He said that after ten years, when the list of biggest experiments done in agricultural sector would be prepared, IFFCO’s Nano Urea and Nano DAP will find a place in it. Shri Shah said that the need of the hour is to reduce the use of urea and move towards natural farming but at the same time there is also a need to increase production. Shri Shah said that Nano Urea is sprayed not on the ground but on the plants and due to this, there is a zero possibility of destruction of natural elements or the earthworms present in the soil. If all the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) use Nano Urea and Nano DAP in partnership with IFFCO then very soon our land will move towards natural farming.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that IFFCO has set up pan-India plants in a very modern manner. There can be no greater example of Make in India than this. IFFCO’s Kalol unit will produce about 42 lakh bottles of green technology based Nano DAP which will definitely benefit the farmers. He said that 60 percent of the people in our country are dependent on agriculture for earning a living and 60 percent of the country’s land is suitable for agriculture, but for years both farmers and agriculture were ignored.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in 2014, before the formation of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the budget of the Government of India for farmers was Rs. 22,000 crores, while Prime Minister Modi has increased this budget to Rs. 1,22,000 crores by the financial year 2023-24. He said that this increase of Rs. 1 lakh crore in the budget has also yielded results. In the year 2013-14, a loan of Rs. 7 lakh crores was extended to the farmers, whereas in 2023-24, Narendra Modi’s government provided loan of Rs. 19 lakh crores to the farmers. He added that earlier the production was 323 million tonnes, and now the production has increased to 665 million tonnes. In the year 2013-14, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy was Rs. 1310 per quintal, which has been increased to Rs. 2203 per quintal by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which is an increase of about 68 percent. He said that the MSP of wheat was Rs. 1400 per quintal, which has been increased to Rs. 2275 per quintal. The MSP of millet was Rs. 1250 per quintal and today it is Rs. 2500 per quintal, which is a 100 percent increase.

Minister of Cooperation said that after Covid pandemic, when the prices of fertilizers increased in the world market, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi did not pass any burden onto the farmers. In the year 2013-14, the total subsidy on fertilizer was Rs. 73 thousand crores and in the year 2023-24 this subsidy has been increased to Rs. 2 lakh 55 thousand crores by the government. Shri Shah urged the top officials of IFFCO to compile a book on the journey of Nano Urea and DAP so far. He said that three factories have become operational in Kalol, Phulpur and Ambla and so far 8 crore bottles have come in the market and it is going to be expanded to 18 crore bottles in the coming days. He said that nanotechnology is going to bring a big change in plant nutrition and it is economical and full of nutrients. This also leads to savings of about 8 to 20 percent.

Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Cooperation has formed two co-operative institutions for seed conservation and export of agricultural produce. He urged the IFFCO management to share its experience to make both these institutions the best institutions in the world like IFFCO. He said that through these two institutions, a revolution has to be brought by changing the crop pattern in the country and for this purpose, IFFCO should also come forward. Shri Shah said that the Ministry of Cooperation has tried to make the cooperative sector vibrant for the farmers once again by taking 57 different initiatives, and IFFCO has made a big contribution in it.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted ITBP personnel on the raising day of ITBP.

The Prime Minister posted on X :

“On the occasion of ITBP Raising Day, I salute the indomitable spirit and valour of our ITBP personnel. They play a vital role in protecting our nation. At the same time, their commendable humanitarian efforts during natural disasters are a testament to their unwavering commitment to the nation. May they continue to serve with the same dedication and fervour.”

Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency called on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

The Prime Minister underscored India’s enduring commitment to safe and secure use of atomic energy for peace and development. Prime Minister shared India’s ambitious goals to enhance the share of environmentally friendly nuclear power generation capacity as part country’s energy mix.

Director General Grossi commended India’s impeccable record as a responsible nuclear power. He praised India’s progress in nuclear science and technology, particularly highlighting the development and deployment of indigenous Nuclear Power Plants. He acknowledged India’s global leadership role in civil nuclear applications for societal benefits. This includes the remarkable progress that India has made in utilising nuclear technology address the challenges faced by humankind including those related to health, food, water treatment, plastic pollution and climate change.

Views were exchanged on expanding the role of nuclear energy in meeting net zero commitments, including through Small Modular Reactors and Mircro-Reactors.

Director General Grossi conveyed his admiration for the outstanding partnership between IAEA and India. He commended India for its training and capacity building programmes that has helped many countries. Both sides  agreed to explore avenues of cooperation between India and IAEA for extending civil nuclear technology applications in the Global South.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has spoken with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan where they exchanged views on the developments in the West Asia region. Shri Modi also expressed shared concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives and emphasized the need for concerted efforts for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Spoke with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Exchanged views on the developments in the West Asia region. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. Concerted efforts needed for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the ‘National Symposium on Cooperative Exports’ organized by the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) in New Delhi today.

Shri Shah also released the logo, website and brochure of NCEL and distributed membership certificates to NCEL members.

On this occasion, several dignitaries including Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri BL Verma were present.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that today the National Cooperative Export Limited is being formally launched on the auspicious day of Mahanavami. He said that today we are crossing a very important milestone on the way to realize the vision of Sahkarita Se Samriddhi, for which the Ministry of Cooperation was established for the first time since independence by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) was established after much deliberation with various objectives in mind. He said that our goals behind setting up NCEL include increasing exports, especially agricultural exports, making farmers prosperous, changing crop patterns and enabling 2 crore farmers of the country to declare their land as natural by 2027. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has taken many initiatives to promote natural farming in the country. He said that Modi ji has formed a multistate cooperative society which will sell the organic products of more than 2 crore farmers of India practicing natural farming in the global market with a good packaging, reliable branding and high-quality certificates. With this, farmers will directly get about one and a half to two times the price of their organic products compared to what they are currently getting and this will open the way to prosperity for the farmers.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that a Biofuel Alliance has been announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that India is the only country where 4 crops can be grown simultaneously and if even one of these crops can be used for biofuel, then we can meet India’s biofuel needs and export it as well. Shri Shah said that another objective of setting up NCEL is to strengthen cooperatives sector in the country including rural areas and population dependent on agriculture. He said that agricultural products and products from the rural areas contribute 15 percent to the country’s GDP while 60 percent of the total population is dependent on them. No country can strengthen its economy by ignoring 60 percent of its population and an economy which does not have a place for 60 percent of the country’s population can never be successful. Shri Shah said that the Modi government strives to increase the GDP while ensuring prosperity for these 60 percent people by providing them employment and the only way to do this is to strengthen cooperative sector. He said that National Cooperative Export Limited will also work to strengthen the entire cooperative structure in the country.

Shri Amit Shah said that NCEL is launched in the cooperative sector with 6 objectives of increasing exports, prospering the farmer, changing the crop pattern, providing global market for organic products, gaining a place for India in the global market for biofuel and strengthening the cooperative sector. With this new beginning, the cooperative will act as a link between the farmers and the global demand for milk products, Isabgol (Psyllium), cumin, ethanol and a variety of organic products. He said that till now about 1500 cooperatives have become members of NCEL and it is expected that in the coming days every tehsil will join it and become the voice of the farmers. Till now NCEL has received orders worth Rs 7,000 crore and orders worth Rs 15,000 crore are being negotiated. The Minister of Cooperation expressed confidence that in the coming days, like IFFCO, KRIBHCO and Amul, National Cooperative Export Limited will also prove to be a very big and successful cooperative venture.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that cooperatives account for 30% of our country’s total food production, 30% of sugar production and about 17% of milk production. He said that about 42 percent of the total finance provided to the farmers of the country is done through cooperatives. He said that the contribution of cooperatives in sugar production is 30% but in the export of sugar is merely one percent; the contribution of cooperatives in milk production is 17% while in the export of milk products, it is less than 2%. This implies that there are immense opportunities in the cooperative sector and to exploit them, a means was needed, to serve as a link between the farmer, the cooperatives and the global market and National Cooperative Export Limited would serve as that link. Shri Shah said that National Cooperative Export Limited will provide necessary finance and information to small societies, will provide information about the intricacies involved and necessary precautions required while exporting, and will also work for the production of export friendly materials. Apart from this, NCEL will also do work like setting parameters for brand awareness, quality awareness, necessary infrastructure and standardization of the product for small farmers at a nominal fee.

Shri Amit Shah said that today the profits from exports do not reach the farmers, but through National Cooperative Export Limited at least 50% of the export profits will go directly to the farmers. He said that procurement will be done from the farmer at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and then after the balance sheet of 6 months is prepared, 50 percent of the profit in addition to the payment made as per MSP, will go directly to the bank account of the farmer. This will also increase the enthusiasm of farmers towards increasing exportable production. He said that National Cooperative Export Limited will not focus only on profits, but focusing on the farmer will be its primary goal. He said that to increase exports, export-oriented mindset will have to nurtured in the farmers, the crop pattern will have to be changed and the entire system of branding, packaging and marketing will have to be created by spreading awareness among the farmers. National Cooperative Export Limited will have to set up this system, only then we will be able to move forward successfully towards achieving the 6 objectives.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that NCEL will become an organization representing the entire cooperative sector and in the coming days, efforts will be made to develop it into a complete export ecosystem covering all aspects like procurement, storage, processing, marketing, branding, labeling, packaging, certification and research and development. He said that NCEL will also work on connecting with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of External Affairs and our embassies abroad with the Whole of Government Approach for market linkages. Apart from this, a design will be prepared by keeping Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) and Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies (PACS) together so that the production is as per the market demand.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government is working towards increasing exports as well as creating a smooth system to deliver its benefits to the farmers. He said that Prime Minister Modi has formed three multi-state cooperative societies – one for seed production at the national level, one for certification and branding of organic products and the third cooperative for export.

Governance reforms initiated by this government since 2014 have a far reaching positive social impact, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said in New Delhi today.

Administrative initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, such as the Pre-Retirement Counselling workshops, Anubhav Awards and Pension Adalat have ensured timely disbursal of pensionary benefits to the large number of retiring employees every year, he said.

The Union Minister was addressing the “Anubhav” Awards – 2023 presentation ceremony, All India Pension Adalat & Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the ‘Whole of Government’ approach is evident from the fact that even during the Covid pandemic years there was not a single case of delay in pension payment due to the uninterrupted services provided by the Department of Posts.

The Bhavishya portal has also evolved over time and technology is being applied by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) to ensure that the retirees are handed over Pension Payment Orders well in time before superannuation, he said.

The Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Minister said that banks are providing doorstep service for submission of Digital Life Certificates (DLC) annually to retired employees. Now, the Govt of India is the first to use the Aadhaar based Face Identification Technology. Due to such technologies, the senior citizens do not have to go through the tedious process of submitting the life certificate. Most of the functioning has been converted online and in order to bring in transparency, accountability and citizen participation, the human interface has been reduced to the bare minimum, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Modi Government has scrapped more than 1,500 redundant laws since 2014 and provisions such as self-attestation introduced. Working with the principle of “Minimum Government-Maximum Governance”, the aim of Good Governance is to bring Ease of Living to the common man, he said.

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the National DLC Portal for Nation-wide DLC Campaign 2.0, Integrated Pensioners’ Portals with Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bank of Baroda and unveiled a Compendium of clarifications/ case studies. He also gave away the Anubhav Awards 2023 to felicitate 13 awardees for their write-ups.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Anubhav portal, launched at the initiative of the Prime Minister, has been a huge success. The campaign has resulted in publication of 1,901 Anubhav write-ups, which is highest in number since its inception in March 2015.

Later, Dr Jitendra Singh chaired the All-India Pension Adalat. Pension Adalats have become an effective medium of prompt disposal of long-pending pension disputes, he said. Of the 45 cases brought before the Pension Adalat, 30 cases were resolved.

Till date eight Pension Adalats have been conducted by DoP&PW and out of 24,671 taken up in the Pension Adalat, 17,551 grievances were resolved (71%) by the different Ministries/Departments/  Organisations which participated in this initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri V. Srinivas, said the Department will be organising Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate campaign 2.0 in the month of November, 2023 to enable 70 lakh Central Government pensioners to submit life certificates. DLC camps will be organised in 500 locations in 100 cities across India in collaboration of 17 banks.

Additional Secretary, DoPPW, Shri SN Mathur; Shri Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO, PNB and Shri Debadatta Chanda, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda also addressed the workshop.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the programme marking the 125th Founder’s Day celebration of ‘The Scindia School’ in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh today. During the programme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the ‘Multipurpose sports complex’ in the school and presented the school’s annual awards to distinguished alumni and top achievers.  The Scindia School was established in 1897 and is atop the historic Gwalior Fort. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative postal stamp on the occasion.

The Prime Minister paid floral tribute to the statue of Shivaji Maharaj. He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of The Scindia School. He also congratulated the citizens on the occasion of the Foundation Day of Azad Hind Sarkar. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to become part of the celebrations of the prestigious history of The Scindia School and the city of Gwalior. He mentioned Rishi Gwalipa, music maestro Tansen, Mahad Ji Scindia, Rajmata Vijaya Raje, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and said that the land of Gwalior has always produced those who become an inspiration for others. “It is the land of Nari Shakti and valour”, the Prime Minister said as he emphasized that it was on this land that Maharani Gangabai sold her jewellery to fund the Swaraj Hind Fauj. “Coming to Gwalior is always a delightful experience”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also mentioned the contribution of the Scindia family to the preservation of the culture of India and Varanasi. He remembered several ghats constructed by the family in Kashi and contributions to BHU. He said that today’s development projects in Kashi must be a matter of satisfaction for the luminaries of the family. The Prime Minister also mentioned that Shri Jytiraditya Scindia is son in law of Gujarat and also mentioned the contribution of the Gaikawad family at his native place in Gujarat.

The Prime Minister said that a dutiful person works for the welfare of the coming generations instead of for the momentary benefits. Emphasizing the long-term benefits of establishing educational institutions, the Prime Minister paid tributes to Maharaja Madho Rao I. Shri Modi also mentioned a lesser-known fact that the Maharaja also established a public transport system that is still functioning as DTC in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned his initiative for water conservation and irrigation and informed that Harsi Dam is Asia’s largest mud dam even after 150 years. The Prime Minister said his vision teaches us to work for the long term and avoid shortcuts in every sphere of life.

The Prime Minister highlighted the two options of working for immediate results or adopting a long-term approach when he assumed the role of Prime Minister of India in 2014. He underlined that the government decided to work with different time bands ranging from 2, 5, 8, 10, 15 and 20 years, and now that the government is close to completing 10 years, multiple pending decisions have been taken with the long-term approach. Shri Modi listed the achievements and mentioned the six-decade-old demand to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the four-decade-old demand to provide One Rank One Pension to ex-servicemen from the army, the four-decade-old demand for GST and Triple Talaq Law. He also mentioned the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam which was recently passed in the Parliament. Shri Modi underlined that these pending decisions would have been carried forward to the next generation if not for the present government which strives to create a positive atmosphere for the young generations with no shortage of opportunities. “Dream big and Achieve big”, the Prime Minister said to the students as he noted that The Scindia School also completes 150 years when India completes 100 years of independence. In the next 25 years, the Prime Minister said with confidence that the young generation will make India a developed nation. “I trust the youth and their capabilities”, the Prime Minister said and expressed the belief that the youth will accomplish the resolve taken by the nation. He reiterated that the next 25 years are as significant for the students as it is for India. “Every student of the Scindia School should strive to make India a Viksit Bharat, be it in the professional world or any other place”, he emphasized.

The Prime Minister said his interaction with Scindia School alumni has strengthened his belief in their capacity to fulfill the destiny of Viksit Bharat. He mentioned Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Radio legend Ameen Sayani, Meet brothers who presented Garba written by the Prime Minister, Salman Khan, and Singer Nitin Mukesh.

The Prime Minister dwelled on the growing global profile of India. He mentioned the landing on the moon’s South Pole and the successful organization of G20. He talked about India as the fastest-growing economy. India is number one in the adoption rate of fintech, real-time digital transactions and smartphone data consumption. He informed that India is number two in terms of the number of internet users and in mobile manufacturing. India has the third largest startup ecosystem and is the third largest energy consumer in the world. He mentioned India’s preparation for a space station and the successful Gaganyaan-related test done today itself. He also listed Tejas and INS Vikrant and said “Nothing is impossible for India”.

Telling the students that the world is their oyster, the Prime Minister told them about the new avenues that have been opened for them including space and defence sectors. The Prime Minister asked the students to think outside of the box and reminded them how initiatives taken by the former railway minister Shri Madhavrao such as starting Shatabdi trains were not repeated till three decades and now the country is seeing Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains.

The Prime Minister highlighted the name of the Houses in The Scindia School based on the resolutions of Swaraj and said that it is a huge source of inspiration. He mentioned Shivaji House, Mahad Ji House, Rano Ji House, Datta Ji House, Kanarkhed House, Nima Ji House and Madhav House and said that it is like the strength of the Sapt Rishis. Shri Modi also handed out 9 tasks to the students and listed them as follows: to run an awareness campaign for water security, create awareness about digital payments, strive to make Gwalior the cleanest city in India, promote Made in India products and adopt the approach of Vocal for Local, explore India and travel within the country before heading out to foreign nations, create awareness about natural farming among regional farmers, inculcate millets in daily diet, make sports, Yoga or any form of fitness an integral part of lifestyle, and lastly hand holding of at least one poor family. He stated that 13 crore people have come out of poverty in the last five years by following this path and

“Whatever India is doing today, it is doing it on a mega scale”, the Prime Minister remarked as he urged the students to think big about their dreams and resolutions. “Your dream is my resolution”, he said and suggested the students share their thoughts and ideas with him via the Namo app or connect with him on WhatsApp.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said, “Scindia School is not just an institution but a legacy.” He said that the school has continuously carried forward the resolutions of Maharaj Madho Rao ji, both before and after independence. Shri Modi once again congratulated the students who were awarded a short while ago and conveyed his best wishes to Scindia School for a better future.

Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Union Ministers, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jitendra Singh were present on the occasion among others.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the successful launch of Mission Gaganyaan TV D1 Test Flight and remarked that it takes the nation one step closer to realising India’s first human space flight program.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“This launch takes us one step closer to realising India’s first human space flight program, Gaganyaan. My best wishes to our scientists at ISRO”.

On ‘Police Commemoration Day’ Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the police martyrs at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi today. On this occasion, many dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra and Union Home Secretary were also present.

In his address on the occasion, Shri Shah paid tribute to 36,250 policemen who have sacrificed their lives for the country’s internal security and security of its borders since independence. He told the families of the martyred policemen that today India is progressing in every field in the world and its foundation is the sacrifice of the martyrs of their families and this country will never forget their sacrifice. Shri Shah said that internal security or border security of any country is not possible without a vigilant police system. Of all the personnel serving the country, policemen have the toughest duty, be it day or night, winter or summer, festival or regular day, policemen do not get a chance to celebrate festivals with their families. He said that all our police forces spend the golden years of their lives away from their families on the country’s long land border and protect the country through their bravery and sacrifices. Shri Shah said that whether it is to combat terrorists, stop crime, maintain law and order while facing a crowd, protect common citizens during disasters and accidents or be on the front line during difficult times like the Corona period, protecting the citizens, our policemen have proved themselves on every occasion. In the last 1 year, from September 01, 2022 to August 31, 2023, 188 policemen have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty to ensure security and maintain law and order of the country.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a call for Amrit Kaal. He said that starting with the end of 75 years of independence till the centenary of independence, these 25 years are for taking the country to the top position in every field. For this purpose, 130 crore people of the country have taken pledge collectively and individually and with these resolutions no one will be able to stop us from reaching the top in every field in the world. Shri Shah said that in the last decade, terrorism, militant attacks, naxalism and ethnic violence have reduced by 65 per cent from their peak levels due to the efforts of our brave policemen.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the last few years, working through NDRF, soldiers of different police forces have earned a respectable name and achieved success not only in the country but also across the world in the field of disaster management. He said that as we are entering the Amrit Kaal of India’s Independence, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, is bringing three new laws, which will completely change our criminal justice system. He said these three laws will replace 150 year old British-era laws and will not only reflect Indian-ness but will also protect the rights of every citizen in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of India. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has laid emphasis on ending the pendency of cases in courts. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji, we will be successful in achieving the goal of bringing transparency and speed in the Criminal Justice System through Police Technology Mission, 3 new laws and ICJS.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that continuing with the policy of Zero Tolerance against terrorism, Modi government has enacted strict laws and have also made efforts to become the best counter-terrorism force in the world by setting up the Police Technology Mission for the modernization of the police. He said that for the welfare of police personnel, the government led by PM Modi has also made timely changes in Ayushman-CAPF, Housing Scheme, CAPF e-Awas Web Portal, Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme, Central Ex-gratia, Disability Ex-gratia, Air Courier Services and Central Police Welfare Store.

Shri Amit Shah said that the police memorial is not merely symbolic but it is a recognition of the sacrifice and dedication of our police personnel towards nation building. He said that the government is fully committed towards the welfare of police personnel and their family members.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first edition of Indian Military Heritage Festival in New Delhi on October 21, 2023. The two-day festival aims to celebrate India’s rich military culture and heritage that has evolved over the centuries, through conversations, art, dance, drama, story-telling and exhibitions. It will primarily bring forward different understandings and perspectives through panel discussions by eminent scholars, practitioners and serving as well as retired officers.

During the event, the Raksha Mantri also launched ‘Project Udbhav’, a joint collaboration of Indian Army and United Service Institution of India, to promote indigenous discourse through exploration and integration of the country’s ancient strategic acumen into contemporary military domain. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Lt Gen JP Mathew and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh were among the dignitaries present at the event.

Talking to reporters on the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Military Heritage Festival, which showcases the unmatched bravery and invaluable role of the Armed Forces in the security of the country in the last few decades, will inspire the youth of the nation. It will also make them enthusiastic to know more about the Indian military and their gallant deeds, he said.

Military Heritage Festival

Despite a long and glorious military history and strategic culture going back many centuries, people are largely unaware of its different facets. The festival seeks to create a benchmark in the domain of public engagement with military history and heritage through interaction while adhering to the goals for developing the Armed Forces in the 21^st century.

The festival aims to give a new thrust to the study of Indian military culture, traditions & history and add tangible value to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative. It also provides a platform for discussing various contemporary issues relating to India and the world pertaining to security, strategy and international relations.

The festival will showcase military culture through military band performances, including the Army Symphony Band presentation and Brass band displays and a Cultural Gala Evening. An exhibition to highlight and celebrate select milestones and achievements in the nation’s long and illustrious military history is being organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Heritage, Ministry of Culture.

Project Udbhav

The necessity of this project is underscored by a critical understanding: while present-day military concepts, prevalent globally, have been largely shaped by the research and doctrines of western armies, they do not wholly suffice the unique, localised requirements and the rich cultural-strategic legacy of the Indian Army. Through the project, the Indian Army acknowledges that the nation is a treasure trove of ancient texts & manuscripts that delineate sophisticated, varied and contextually rich strategies in statecraft, warfare & diplomacy. This project is a significant leap towards evolving new, indigenously-resonant military concepts, building upon and enhancing existing strategies while intertwining them with the rich, diverse tactical and strategic wisdom encapsulated in historical documents.

‘Project Udbhav’ is set to emerge as the centre of indigenous strategic developments. The initiative is designed to weave a strategic vocabulary and conceptual framework that is deeply embedded in India’s philosophical and cultural heritage. It sets the stage for a robust, progressive and future-ready Indian Army that not only resonates with the nation’s historical military sagacity but is also attuned to the demands and dynamics of contemporary warfare and diplomacy. The project signals a series of in-depth research, discussions, studies, and engagements to delve into and disseminate the rich, varied and often under-explored treasures of India’s strategic thought and military history.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took part in a discussion at the TiEcon Vadodara event, where local investors pledged Rs 100 crore to support early-stage startups in Gujarat. This initiative follows Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s successful efforts last year in mobilizing support from established entrepreneurs and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), resulting in a Rs 1,500 crore pledge for startups in Gujarat.

During the event, he commended the Gujarat Government for fostering an environment conducive to startups and seizing opportunities in alignment with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.

“The entrepreneurial spirit in Gujarat is unparalleled. I have extensively travelled across the country and can confidently testify that Gujarat excels in risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and economic development. I hold great respect for the Gujarat Government and its collaboration with the Government of India. Gujarat identified the semiconductor opportunity before any other state and seized it. The youth of Gujarat and the innovation ecosystem within the state are poised for substantial growth. Gujarat has now established itself on the map for deep tech capabilities. The next wave of innovation will be from states like Gujarat and from smaller cities and towns of the country,” the Minister said.

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized that the government’s encouragement has led to increased activity in the startup ecosystem. He said that, “We are living in extremely exciting times. What Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made possible is instilling confidence in Indians and young Indians. Today, PM Modi has encouraged Indians to enter all sectors. He often questions why we are not pursuing certain fields, such as why our young Indians aren’t building space rockets, something that no other politician in the past had done. When you exhibit confidence in young Indians and our country, we are capable of achieving almost anything that the rest of the world can. This holds true for manufacturing, and it holds true for semiconductors.”

Reflecting on the past, Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar observed that previous non-BJP governments and political leadership often failed to realize India’s true potential. However, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership has enabled a ‘can do’ and ‘you can do it’ attitude among young Indians.

“Earlier, governments and political leadership failed to grasp our country’s potential. It was Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who injected confidence into young Indians, enabling a ‘can do’ and ‘you can do it’ attitude, dispelling negativity and affirming that young Indians can achieve the impossible. This spirit has energised the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Today, we can proudly say that there is no place in the digital economy where there is no Indian activity, from semiconductors, web 3, microelectronics, crypto, high-performance computing, and AI, to quantum. For the first time in the history of independent India, we have a government deeply committed to empowering the success of young Indians and first-generation startup entrepreneurs. Previous governments tended to focus more on conglomerates and major groups. I had raised this issue in parliament in 2011, highlighting how nine groups had captured 97% of the Indian banking system, the Minister added.

Addressing the issue of ‘brain drain,’ Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar observed that Indians living abroad are increasingly recognizing the immense opportunities in India and are planning to return. He stressed the importance of skills in addition to degrees, advising young Indians to understand that skills are crucial for seizing opportunities in the startup ecosystem and the job market.

“Young Indians must understand that a degree is important, but what’s even more crucial is acquiring skills. If you graduate from college without skills, you may face a slight disadvantage in terms of startup opportunities and the job market. The government offers various skilling and entrepreneurship programs that young Indians can tap into. We have aligned this vision with the National Education Policy, ensuring that even school dropouts can acquire essential skills. I’ve had discussions with many entrepreneurs and employees working abroad, and today, they are eager to return to India because they see its immense potential,” the Minister further added.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh today. He also flagged off the Namo Bharat RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, marking the launch of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India. Shri Modi dedicated to the nation, two stretches of east-west corridor of Bengaluru Metro.

The Prime Minister also travelled on board the Regional Rapid Train Namo Bharat.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a historic moment for the nation as India’s first Rapid Rail Service, the Namo Bharat Train is being dedicated to the people. Shri Modi recalled laying the foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor four years ago and marked its operation today on the Sahibabad to Duhai Depot stretch. He reiterated the government’s commitment to inaugurate the projects whose foundation stones are laid and expressed confidence that he will be present to inaugurate the completion of the Meerut stretch of RRTS after one and a half years. Shri Modi shared his experience of traveling in the Namo Bharat earlier today and expressed delight at the transformation of Railways in the country. Noting the occasion of Navratra, the Prime Minister said that the Namo Bharat has been blessed by Mata Katyayani. He also informed that women make up the entire support staff and the locomotive pilots of the newly inaugurated Namo Bharat Train. “Namo Bharat is a symbol of the strengthening women power in the country”, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Delhi, NCR and Western Uttar Pradesh for today’s projects on the auspicious occasion of Navratra. The Prime Minister said that the Namo Bharat train has modernity and speed. “Namo Bharat Train is defining the new journey of New India and its new resolutions”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister reiterated his belief that India’s development lies in the development of the states. He said that two stretches of Metro will further strengthen the connectivity at the IT hub of Bengaluru. He informed that about 8 lakh passengers are traveling by Metro everyday.

“India of the 21st century is writing its own saga of progress and development in every sector”, the Prime Minister said. He mentioned the recent success of Chandrayaan 3 and also touched upon the successful organization of G20 which has made India a center of attraction for the entire world. He mentioned the record-breaking performance of bagging more than a hundred medals at the Asian Games, the launch and expansion of 5G in India, and the record number of digital transactions taking place. Shri Modi also mentioned the Made in India Vaccines which turned out to be a lifesaver for crores of people in the world. Referring to India’s rise in the manufacturing sector, the Prime Minister spoke about the eagerness of multinational companies to set up manufacturing units in India for mobile phones, TVs, laptops and computers. He also touched upon defence manufacturing including fighter jets and aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. “The Namo Bharat train is also Made in India”, Shri Modi underlined as he informed that the screen doors installed on the platforms are also made in India. Prime Minister Modi also informed that the noise levels in the Namo Bharat Train are less than that of helicopters and airplanes.

The Prime Minister stressed that Namo Bharat is a glimpse of India of the future and exemplifies the transformation of the nation with growing economic muscle. The Prime Minister said that this 80 km Delhi Meerut stretch is just the beginning as the first phase will see many areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan being connected with Namo Bharat Train. In the coming days, Shri Modi informed that a similar system will be created in the other parts of the country to improve connectivity and create new avenues of employment.

The Prime Minister said that this third decade of the present century is the decade of transformation of Indian Railways. “I am not in the habit of small dreams and walking slowly. I want to give a guarantee to the young generation of today that by the end of this decade, you will not find Indian trains second to none in the world”, Prime Minister Modi said. He mentioned that Indian railway will achieve a new pedestal in the world in safety, cleanliness, facilities, coordination, sensitivity, and capability. Indian railway is not very far from the goal of 100 percent electrification. He listed initiatives like modern trains such as Namo Bharat and Vande Bharat and  the upgradation of the railway station under Amrit Bharat Railway station scheme. “Trinity of Amrit Bharat, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat will become a symbol of modern railways by the end of this decade”, he added.

Underling the thinking of multi-modal connectivity, the Prime Minister said that Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad and Meerut bus stations, metro stations and railway stations are being connected by Namo Bharat system.

Shri Modi underlined the government’s emphasis on improving the standard of living and quality of life of all citizens, providing better air quality, getting rid of garbage dump yards, better educational facilities and improving public transport services. The Prime Minister informed that the government is spending more than ever to improve the public transport system in the country and mentioned the all-round development efforts on land, air and sea. Giving examples of water transport systems, the Prime Minister informed that more than a hundred waterways are being developed in the rivers of India where the largest waterway is being developed along the Ganges from Varanasi to Haldia. He said that farmers can now send their produce outside the region with the help of inland waterways. The Prime Minister also touched upon the recently concluded Gangavilas river cruise which completed a journey of more than 3200 km and created a world record for the longest river cruise in the world. He spoke about the expansion and modernization of port infrastructure in the country whose benefits are also reaped by states like Karnataka. Referring to the land network, the Prime Minister informed that more than Rs 4 lakh crores are being spent on expanding the web of modern expressways, while Rs 3 lakh crores are being spent on modern trains such as Namo Bharat or metro trains. Drawing parallels from the expansion of the metro network in Delhi, the Prime Minister said that cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Agra and Kanpur from Uttar Pradesh are following a similar path. Even in Karnataka, the metro is being expanded in Bengaluru and Mysuru. Throwing light on the increased air connectivity, the Prime Minister informed that the number of airports has doubled in the last 9 years, and India’s airlines have placed orders for more than 1000 new aircrafts. The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s rapid stride in the space sector and mentioned the Chandrayaan that has set foot on the Moon. Shri Modi informed that the government has prepared a roadmap till 2040, which includes the Gaganyaan for manned space journeys, and setting up India’s space station. “The day is not far when we will land the first Indian on the moon in our spacecraft”, the Prime Minister emphasized. He reiterated that these developments are carried out for the youth of the country and create a bright future for them.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to reduce urban pollution. This is leading to a growing network of electric buses in the country. The Central government has started a scheme of providing 10,000 electric buses to the states. He informed that the Government of India is preparing to run more than 1300 electric buses in Delhi at an expense of Rs 600 crore. Out of these, more than 850 electric buses have already started plying in Delhi. Similarly, in Bangalore also, the Government of India is providing assistance of Rs 500 crore to run more than 1200 electric buses. “The Central Government is trying to promote modern and green public transport in every city, be it Delhi, UP or Karnataka”, he said.

The Prime Minister said that civic ease is being given the foremost priority in the infrastructure that is being developed in the country. He highlighted the ease that trains like Metro or Namo Bharat will bring in the lives of the commuters and how quality infrastructure will bring new opportunities for the youth, businessmen, and working women of the country. “Social infrastructure like hospitals will benefit patients, doctors and medical students. Digital infrastructure will ensure the prevention of leakage and smooth transaction of money”, he added.

Noting the ongoing festive period, the Prime Minister highlighted the recent decisions taken by the Union Cabinet for the benefit of farmers, employees and pensioners. He informed that the government has made a huge increase in the MSP of Rabi crops where the MSP of lentils has been increased by Rs 425 per quintal, mustard by Rs 200 and wheat by Rs 150 per quintal. He also noted that the MSP of wheat which was Rs 1400 per quintal in 2014 has now crossed Rs 2000, MSP of lentils has more than doubled in the last 9 years, and MSP of mustard increased by Rs 2600 per quintal during this period. “This reflects our commitment to provide farmers a support price of more than one and a half times the cost”, he added.

The Prime Minister informed about the steps that ensure the availability of urea at affordable rates. He said urea bags that cost 3000 rupees in the international market are available to Indian farmers for less than 300 rupees. The government is spending more than 2.5 lakh crore every year on this.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s emphasis on utilizing the residue left after the harvest, be it paddy straw or stubble. He mentioned biofuel and ethanol units being set up across the country boosting ethanol production 10 times compared to 9 years ago. So far, the Prime Minister informed that the farmers have received approximately Rs 65 thousand crores from ethanol production. “In the last ten months alone, a total payment of more than Rs 18 thousand crore has been made to the farmers of the country”, he added. Speaking about the farmers of Meerut-Ghaziabad region, he informed that more than Rs 300 crore has been paid for ethanol in just 10 months of the year 2023.

The Prime Minister also mentioned festival gifts of reducing the gas cylinder price by 500 rupees for Ujjwala beneficiaries, free rations to more than 80 crore citizens, 4 percent DA and DR to the central government employees and pensioners and Diwali bonus for lakhs of group B and C non gazetted railway employees. “This will benefit the entire economy as it will promote economic activities in the market”, he said.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister emphasized that the festive joy in every family increases when such sensitive decisions are taken. And the happiness of every family in the country makes up for the festive mood. “You are my family, so you are my priority. This work is being done for you. If you are happy, I will be happy. If you are capable, the country will be capable”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ms Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri were present on the occasion among others, while Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah joined the event via video conferencing.

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor

The 17 Km priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor will connect Sahibabad to ‘Duhai Depot’ with stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar and Duhai on the way. The foundation stone for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by the Prime Minister on 8th March 2019.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform regional connectivity in the country through the construction of new world-class transport infrastructure, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project is being developed. RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system. With a design speed of 180 Kmph, RRTS is a transformational, regional development initiative, which is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, which can go up to a frequency of every 5 minutes as per requirement.

A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified to be developed in NCR, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I including Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor; Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor; and Delhi – Panipat Corridor. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore and will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.

RRTS being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution and is comparable to the best in the world. It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country. In line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will have extensive multi-modal integration with Railway stations, Metro stations, Bus services etc. Such transformative regional mobility solutions will boost economic activity in the region; provide improved access to employment, education & healthcare opportunities; and help in the significant reduction of vehicular congestion & air pollution.

Bengaluru Metro

The two metro stretches that will be formally dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister connect Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura and Kengeri to Challaghatta. These two metro stretches were opened for public service from 9th October 2023 to provide convenience to the public commuting on this corridor, without waiting for formal inauguration.