The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army.
Prime Minister has said India has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector. This is inspired by what Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi writing in the oldest language in the world,Tamil, said Let us make weapons; let us make paper. Let us make factories; let us make schools. Let us make vehicles that can move and fly. Let us make ships that can shake the world. One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The corridor has already received investment commitments over Rupees Eight thousand one hundred crores.
He said that Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India. Now, Tamil Nadu evolving as the Tank manufacturing hub of India. On MBT Arjun Mark 1A, the Prime Minister declared “I am proud to handover the indigenously designed and manufactured “Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A”. It also uses indigenous ammunition. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit – Bharat’s Ekta Darshan”
The Prime Minister said that the focus on making India Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector will keep moving with full speed.
Our armed forces signify India’s ethos of courage. They have shown time and again that they are fully capable of protecting our Motherland. Time and again they have also shown India believes in peace.However, India will protect our sovereignty at all costs, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that The Discovery Campus of IIT Madras with 2-lakh square metre infrastructure to house world-class research centres.will be a leading centre of discovery and draw the best talent from all over India.
The Prime Minister paid homage to the Pulwama attack martyrs on the anniversary of the attack today. He said “We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack.We are proud of our security forces.Their bravery will continue to inspire generations.”
