Tag: Atmanirbhar Bharat

  • Murmu highlights India’s success story in maiden address to nation 

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu in her maiden address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day talked about India’s vibrant democracy, success story of Covid vaccines, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the growth of the country’s economy after the pandemic.

    The President on Sunday said that it is a cause of celebration “not only for all of us but also for every advocate of democracy around the world”.

    “When India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of democratic form of government in India. They had their reasons to be doubtful. In those days, democracy was limited to economically advanced nations. India, after so many years of exploitation at the hands of foreign rulers, was marked by poverty and illiteracy. But we Indians proved the skeptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” the President said.

    Murmu said that ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ festival is dedicated to the people of India.

    “Based on the success achieved by the people, the resolve to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is also a part of this Mahotsav. Citizens from all age-groups have keenly participated in a series of events held across the country,” she added.

    Talking about the vaccine success story that the country has achieved, President Murmu said: “The world has seen a new India rising in recent years, more so after the outbreak of Covid-19. Our response to the pandemic has been appreciated everywhere. We launched the biggest vaccination drive in human history with vaccines manufactured in the country itself.

    “Last month, we crossed the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage. In combating the pandemic, our achievements have been better than those of many developed countries. For this feat, we are grateful to our scientists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the staff associated with vaccination.”

    She said the pandemic has uprooted lives and also economies in the entire world.

    ALSO READ | Taste of independence

    “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world. India’s start-up eco-system ranks high in the world. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress.

    “The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish. During the last few years, unprecedented progress has been made in the development of physical and digital infrastructure,” she added.

    The President said: “The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress. The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish.”

    Murmu also talked about India’s achievement in the Commonwealth Games saying that a large number of our winners come from underprivileged segments of society.

    “Our daughters are the biggest hope for the nation. Some of them brought laurels for the country at the recently held Commonwealth Games. Of course, India’s sportspersons have been making the country proud by their performance in international competitions,” she added.

    In her maiden speech, the President said that the keyword for India today is compassion; for the downtrodden, for the needy and for those on the margins.

    “Some of our national values have been incorporated in our Constitution as the fundamental duties of the citizens. I appeal to every citizen to know about their fundamental duties and follow them in letter and spirit so that our nation reaches new heights,” she added.

    She also quoted the iconic Kannada poet Kuvempu in her first address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day to urge the youth to make a total sacrifice for the motherland and upliftment of fellow citizens, as they intend to build the country of 2047.

    NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu in her maiden address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day talked about India’s vibrant democracy, success story of Covid vaccines, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the growth of the country’s economy after the pandemic.

    The President on Sunday said that it is a cause of celebration “not only for all of us but also for every advocate of democracy around the world”.

    “When India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of democratic form of government in India. They had their reasons to be doubtful. In those days, democracy was limited to economically advanced nations. India, after so many years of exploitation at the hands of foreign rulers, was marked by poverty and illiteracy. But we Indians proved the skeptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” the President said.

    Murmu said that ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ festival is dedicated to the people of India.

    “Based on the success achieved by the people, the resolve to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is also a part of this Mahotsav. Citizens from all age-groups have keenly participated in a series of events held across the country,” she added.

    Talking about the vaccine success story that the country has achieved, President Murmu said: “The world has seen a new India rising in recent years, more so after the outbreak of Covid-19. Our response to the pandemic has been appreciated everywhere. We launched the biggest vaccination drive in human history with vaccines manufactured in the country itself.

    “Last month, we crossed the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage. In combating the pandemic, our achievements have been better than those of many developed countries. For this feat, we are grateful to our scientists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the staff associated with vaccination.”

    She said the pandemic has uprooted lives and also economies in the entire world.

    ALSO READ | Taste of independence

    “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world. India’s start-up eco-system ranks high in the world. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress.

    “The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish. During the last few years, unprecedented progress has been made in the development of physical and digital infrastructure,” she added.

    The President said: “The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress. The government and policy-makers deserve credit for beating the global trend and helping the economy flourish.”

    Murmu also talked about India’s achievement in the Commonwealth Games saying that a large number of our winners come from underprivileged segments of society.

    “Our daughters are the biggest hope for the nation. Some of them brought laurels for the country at the recently held Commonwealth Games. Of course, India’s sportspersons have been making the country proud by their performance in international competitions,” she added.

    In her maiden speech, the President said that the keyword for India today is compassion; for the downtrodden, for the needy and for those on the margins.

    “Some of our national values have been incorporated in our Constitution as the fundamental duties of the citizens. I appeal to every citizen to know about their fundamental duties and follow them in letter and spirit so that our nation reaches new heights,” she added.

    She also quoted the iconic Kannada poet Kuvempu in her first address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day to urge the youth to make a total sacrifice for the motherland and upliftment of fellow citizens, as they intend to build the country of 2047.

  • Huge ‘Atmanirbhar’ push as Centre plans to procure military equipment worth Rs 5 lakh crore from domestic source

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Monday said it plans to procure military equipment worth Rs 5 lakh crore from the domestic industries in the next five to seven years in line with its policy of promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.

    Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt put out the projected figure of procurement from domestic sources while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

    In August 2020, the ministry announced that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems by 2024.

    A second list, putting import restrictions on 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, airborne early warning systems, tank engines and radars, under a staggered timeline was issued in May last year.

    In December, the ministry released a list containing 2,500 items, which have already been developed indigenously.

    It also released a list of 351 equipment that will be developed within the country by December 2024.

    The minister in his reply mentioned the lists and the government’s priorities.

    “The positive indigenisation list comprises defence equipment which will be designed, developed and manufactured over a period from 2020 to 2025,” he said, adding that the it was not possible to assess at this juncture the actual on account of the decision to not import the items.

    “However, as per available projections, it is estimated that over approximately Rs 5 lakh crore worth of equipment included in both the positive indigenisation lists will be procured from domestic industry over the next five to seven years,” he said.

    In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to boost domestic defence manufacturing.

    In May last year, the government announced increasing the FDI limit from 49 per cent to 74 per cent under the automatic route in the defence sector.

    India is one of the largest importers of arms globally.

    According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion (one billion is equal to 100 crores) in capital procurement in the next five years.

    The government now wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support domestic defence manufacturing.

    The Defence Ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of USD 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware.

    The government on Monday said that a total of Rs 3,343 crore has been received as foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector since 2014.

    In response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the defence sector needs continuous investment for capacity enhancements and the creation of state-of-the-art technologies.

    “During the period from 2001-2014, a total FDI inflow of about Rs 1,382 crore was reported and from 2014 till date, a total FDI of about Rs 3,343 crore has been reported,” he said.

    To a separate question, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said the “term ‘Matryr’ is not used in Indian Armed Forces.”

    He was asked about the definition of martyr and whether the government has stopped the use of the word for those who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

    Asked whether the government is considering a system of conferring letters of acknowledgement from the President and the Prime Minister’s Office on the families of armed forces personnel killed in action, Bhatt said no such proposal has been received for consideration.

    To another question, Bhatt said the government created the Defence AI (Artificial Intelligence) Council (DAIC) in 2019 for providing necessary guidance to enable and effect the development of an operating framework for the adoption of the application of AI in the defence sector.

    He said all the three services have established institutional mechanisms in the form of AI Sub Committee and Joint Working Group on AI.

    “As part of the data management framework, the services have formulated data policy and appointed data management officers,” he said.

    Bhatt also said that the budget allocated and utilised in the past three years for the research and development of indigenous defence aircraft was Rs 3,280 crore and Rs 2,835 crore respectively.

    He said 100 per cent rate of success has been achieved for the various research carried out for the development of indigenous defence aircraft.

  • Advanced version of BrahMos fired from warship destroys target

    By Express News Service

    BHUBANESWAR: In yet another shot in the arm for Atmanirbhar Bharat, India on Saturday successfully test-fired an advanced version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from a warship reconfirming the combat readiness of the armed forces.

    The anti-ship missile was launched by the Indian Navy from one of its frontline destroyers striking the target ship at maximum range with pinpoint accuracy at an undisclosed location.

    Defence sources said the missile destroyed the target, a decommissioned ship, with high accuracy after performing extremely complex manoeuvres.

    “The long-range precision strike capability of the advanced version of BrahMos missile was successfully validated. The test demonstrated combat and mission readiness of frontline platforms,” a Navy spokesperson said.

    ALSO READ | India gets first ever export order for BrahMos missiles; Philippines signs USD 374 million contract

    Although the strike range of the missile has been extended from 290 km to 450 km after India’s full membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which removed caps on range of cruise missiles, the Navy did not disclose the location of test and range of the missile.

    BrahMos as prime strike missile ensures the warship’s invincibility by engaging naval surface targets at long ranges re-affirming the destroyer as one of the several lethal platforms of the Indian Navy fitted with the world-class weapon system.

    Its multi-platform launch capability can conceivably be used for pinpoint strikes on the economic and strategic assets located deep inside enemy territory. The missile can also target command-and-control centres and other high-value military targets like surface ships or aircraft carriers on the high seas from long stand-off distances.

    The user trial came weeks after it was flight tested from a land-based launcher by the Indian Army. On December 8, the air-launched version of the BrahMos was successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft clearing it for production. An advanced variant of BrahMos missile with indigenous sub-systems was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast in January.

    A joint venture of India-Russia, the supersonic cruise missile can be launched from all platforms – land, aircraft, ships and submarines. The armed forces have already inducted BrahMos that can fly almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8.

  • Make-In-India push: Government bans import of drones; provides certain exceptions

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday banned import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote domestic manufacturing of drones in the country.

    Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances.

    “Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals,” the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

    The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones.

    “Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes,” DGFT said.

    Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purpose will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form.

    This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022.

    The ministry came out with liberalised drone rules in August 2021.

    After the rules, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, UTM policy framework in October 2021.

    Besides, drone certification scheme and single window DigitalSky Platform were put in place last month.

  • Defence Ministry dissolves Ordnance Factory Board, transfers employees and assets to seven PSUs

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has dissolved the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) with effect from October 1 and transferred its assets, employees and management to seven public sector units (PSUs), according to an official order.

    As part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) package, the central government had announced on May 16 last year that it would improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance supplies by corporatisation of the OFB.

    In an order dated September 28, the defence ministry said: “Government of India has decided to transfer, with effect from October 1, 2021, the management, control, operations and maintenance of these 41 production units and identified non-production units to seven government companies (wholly owned by the government of India).”

    According to the order, the name of the seven defence PSUs (also called DPSUs) are Munition India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, Troop Comforts Limited, Yantra India Limited, India Optel Limited and Gliders India Limited.

    The OFB is currently a defence ministry entity and supplies critical arms and ammunition to the three armed forces and the paramilitary.

    The order said: “The government has decided that all the employees of OFB (Group A, B & C) belonging to the production units and also the identified non-production units shall be transferred en masse to the new DPSUs on terms of foreign service without any deputation allowance (deemed deputation) initially for a period of two years from the appointed date (October 1).”

    The order noted that each of the new DPSUs is required to frame rules and regulations related to service conditions of the absorbed employees. Each of the DPSUs should also “seek an option for permanent absorption from the employees on deemed deputation” to that respective DPSU, within a period of two years, it stated.

    “The service conditions of the absorbed employees would not be inferior to the existing ones. A committee would be constituted by DDP (Department of Defence Production) for guiding the new DPSUs in this regard so that the absorption package given is attractive,” the order mentioned.

  • Induction of new bridges to enhance capability of tanks, armoured vehicles on Pakistan front: Indian Army

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday said the induction of the latest short span bridges will enhance the capabilities of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles on the western front with Pakistan.

    “The bridges’ induction will increase the capability of the Indian army. We had a five-metre and 15-meter span bridge but 10 meters was always needed. This will full fill the gap. This will enhance the mechanised formation in western front capability and operation speed will also increase,” the Army chief said at the induction of short span bridge event.

    Gen Naravane also highlighted that the 10 meters short span bridge is another successful step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    “This short span bridge is fully Made in India. Its production has been done by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This is another step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This bridge will boost the ability of the Army,” the Army Chief added.

    At the event, DRDO Chief Dr G Satheesh Reddy revealed that L&T will deliver 30 bridges by August.

    “I thank L&T for coming out with these bridging systems in a short span of time. I’m told that by end of August, they will be able to deliver about 30 bridges,” Reddy said.

    In a major boost for ‘Make in India’ in defence sector, the Indian Army received the first 12 indigenously developed 10 metre Short Span Bridging systems on Friday. The bridges will help the force overcome geographical obstacles like small rivers and canals in case of operations along the western borders with Pakistan.

    The bridges were handed over to the Corps of Engineers by Army Chief General Naravane at Defence Research and Development Organisation in Delhi Cantonment. They are worth over Rs 492 crore.

    The system has been designed by Indian Army Engineers along with DRDO and manufactured by Larsen and Toubro Limited within the country.

    The bridges being inducted are mechanically launched and capable of carrying tanks upto 70 tons over different types of water obstacles.

    The unique feature of the system is its compatibility with existing bridging systems which enhances flexibility to negotiate all types of water obstacles along western borders. 

  • From aircraft to submarines, Navy takes local route to boost operation capacity

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Indian Navy has gone for local to boost the country’s maritime operational capacity.  

    There have been orders placed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for fixed wing aircraft and rotary wing helicopters. Shripad Naik, Minister of State (MoS), Defence said on Wednesday: “Indian Navy has placed orders for Aircraft 12 Dorniers, 16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH MK III), 8 Chetak helicopters by (HAL).”

    MoS Defence was replying in Lok Sabha to a question asked by Ravindra Kushwaha, MP from Salempur in UP.  

    The minister admitted delays into the delivery process and also informed about delays in delivery of the submarines being constructed in Mazgaon Dockyard Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

    “Six Scorpene class submarines are built by Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75,” the minister said. He added there have been delays in the projects. The pandemic has further impacted the delivery schedule.

    Aircraft deliveries have been delayed due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and delays in submarine delivery have been caused due to defects observed during trials.

    “In the interest of national security, details cannot be divulged,” Naik.

    “However, the existing submarine fleet is being maintained combat worthy through life extensions and modernization/ upgradation.”

    Indian Navy has been facing issues of obsolescence in underwater combat capabilities.  Projects 75 and 75 (India) will plug this gap.

  • Corporatisation of OFB will improve its products’ quality and expand its market: Panel

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) will improve the quality of its products and expand its market, said parliamentary standing committee on defence in a report tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

    As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, the central government had announced on May 16 last year that it would improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance supplies by corporatisation of the OFB.

    The OFB is a defence ministry entity and supplies critical arms and ammunition to the three armed forces and the paramilitary.

    The parliamentary committee said in its report that it concurred with the view of the defence ministry on the issue of OFB’s corporatisation and “believe that with necessitated structural improvements, OFB will be able to further improve quality of products and expand their market”.

    The ministry informed the committee that it has appointed a consultant to suggest “organisational structural changes and business continuity plan” for the new entity or entities to continue on a sustainable basis.

    “The study by the consultant is presently under progress. The committee recommend that the details be shared with them and at the same time would like to say that the ministry should weigh all the pros and cons in favour of the OFB before arriving at any finality on the findings of the consultants,” the committee stated.

    The ministry last year held multiple meetings with various employee unions of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to address their concerns regarding its corporatisation.

    In May 2019, the Indian Army had sought immediate intervention of the defence ministry to check rising cases of accidents involving battle tanks, artillery and air defence guns due to “poor quality” of ammunition being supplied to it by the OFB.

    The Army had then presented a report to the ministry listing incidents of accidents involving main guns of T-72 and T-90 and the Arjun main battle tanks, besides 105 mm field guns, 130 mm MA1 medium guns and 40 mm L-70 air defence guns, primarily due to faulty ammunition.

  • Prakash Javadekar launches awareness campaign on COVID-19 vaccination, Aatmanirbhar Bharat

    By ANI
    PUNE: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar flagged off a mobile exhibition to spread awareness about COVID-19 vaccination and Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Pune on Sunday.

    “Under this campaign, 16 specially fabricated vans will travel across 36 districts of Maharashtra to spread awareness among people,” a press release by the ministry stated.

    The campaign has been designed and implemented by the regional outreach bureau, Pune of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Division of the Maharashtra Health Department. The vans will also display messages through LED screens and these vans will be live tracked through GPS.

    Speaking on the occasion, Javadekar said “The whole world is fighting COVID-19. However, even with a population of 130 crores, India has managed to keep its losses lesser than Latin America, Europe, or America.”

    The Minister said that with COVID vaccination having begun, we have entered the new phase of communication.

    “India’s vaccine roll out has begun. Ever since the launch of COVID vaccination programme, more than 50 lakh health and frontline workers have been vaccinated in the country. After frontline health workers, people who are over 50 years of age will be vaccinated and thereafter the whole population will be vaccinated,” Javadekar said.

    Minister further said that the mobile exhibition vans will travel 80-100 kilometres every day to create awareness about the vaccination program. The campaign intends to take the message of the vaccination plan and COVID-appropriate behaviour to the last mile in Maharashtra.

    The cultural artists of the Song and Drama Division (SDD) will convey messages through folk performances popular in respective regions of Maharashtra.

    “Curbing misinformation and rumours surrounding vaccines and spreading awareness about government’s efforts towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat will be other objectives of this campaign,” said the Minister

    Communication has played a big role in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. In this initiative, the campaign aims to take the Government’s communication to people’s doorsteps.

  • Country’s recovery from COVID-19 first sign that Atmanirbhar Bharat is working: S Jaishankar

    By ANI
    VIJAYAWADA: The country’s recovery from coronavirus due to the early steps taken by it was the first sign that Atmanirbhar Bharat was working, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here on Saturday.

    “When coronavirus hit us, this country — like many other countries of the world– was completely unprepared. We had hospitals, clinics, but nobody had thought of treatment for Coronavirus, nobody had dedicated centres for it. Very few people made masks, nobody had PPE kits,” Jaishankar said at a conference here.

    He said that after a few months since then, today, India is one of the world’s biggest producers of PPE and the biggest producers of masks. “We have 25 companies that are making ventilators. We’re making for ourselves. We’re making for the world. We set up 16,000 centres to deal with the Coronavirus (pandemic),” the External Affairs Minister said.

    He said that Jaishankar hailed the Centre’s decision to impose an “early lockdown.” It was a health response for something which was unprecedented. “The result is, we have one of the lowest case-fatality rates in the world, we have one of the highest recovery rates in the world,” he said adding that India’s recovery from the pandemic was the “first sign” of Atmanirbhar Bharat working.

    ALSO READ| 25 countries in queue for ‘Made in India’ COVID-19 vaccine: EAM Jaishankar

    “I cite to you the (country’s) Coronavirus recovery, as the first sign of Atmanirbhar Bharat working. I believe that if we can do what we’ve done against a terrible disease if we put our minds on how to build this country, how to take it to a higher level, we’re capable of doing it. Today we have the leadership. Today we have the vision. We have that plan in the Budget and I think we have the self-belief and self-confidence that we are capable of it,” Jaishankar said.

    India on Saturday registered a record by crossing the landmark 20-crore total cumulative COVID-19 tests. Out of 20 crore total tests the country has conducted 7,40,794 tests in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

    The country’s total active caseload continued to follow a consistent downward slope. It has dropped to less than 1.5 lakh (1,48,590) today and is the lowest in eight months. The present active caseload now consists of just 1.37 per cent of India’s total positive cases. The country has seen less than 100 fatalities (95) in the past 24 hours.

    The total number of vaccinated beneficiaries surpassed 54 lakh (54,16,849) under the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination exercise, as per today’s record till 8 am. The number of beneficiaries being vaccinated every day has shown a consistent and progressive increase.