File photo of PM Narendra Modi
Ludhiana:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said a nation's economic growth is secured by the soldiers who dedicate their lives to protect the country's sovereignty.
PM Modi, while interacting with air force personnel at the Air Force base at Halwara this evening, said possibilities of economic progress become strong for a nation only when our jawans dedicate their life in securing us and making our security strong.
The PM, who was accompanied by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, arrived here after visiting war memorials related to the 1965 Indo-Pak war in Amritsar and Ferozepur districts. Halwara Air base saw action in that war.
Addressing the air force personnel, he said "the country was today celebrating Diwali, and people can live a secure life and sleep peacefully, which is possible when thousands of youths like you dedicate their life to protecting borders of this country."
The PM struck a chord with the air force personnel, who were standing at a distance, when he asked them to come closer to him saying, "there should be no gap between you and me."
Recalling his visit to the base with former Defence Minister George Fernandes, when he was a functionary in BJP and in-charge of party affairs of the State, he said "at that time, I did not know that I will get opportunity in this way to visit and meet you people."
He also told them that he had earlier on Wednesday visited three places connected with 1965 war, where jawans made supreme sacrifices for their country.
PM Modi said there was a time when military might used to determine how powerful a nation was.
"Now, economy, information technology have also become parameters. Therefore, for a nation's progress, when security is strong, possibilities of economic progress are strong," he said.
PM Modi said in past 18 months, India is being seen with respect in entire world, and an atmosphere of hope has been built, and investors around the globe were showing keenness to come here and invest.
"...guarantee of security here, democratic values, vibrant judiciary, these are our strength because of which world was looking at us," he said, adding an increase in FDI to 49 per cent, was in itself a big change.
Lauding the defence personnel, he said, those posted at borders and in Air Force doing their duty, while you are silently going about performing your duty, but you must not be aware the positive impact your work has on our country's development and growth. It helps the country to move forward.
Every single moment of your life helps in taking this nation forward.
PM Modi also said that times have changed and things have also changed for our forces.
He said military might, which earlier used to be dependent on the number of soldiers was now also linked and dependent on the technological advancements.
"India wants to touch new heights in this. During 15-16 months, we have taken important decisions in the defence sector," he said.
He further said there should be no dearth of modern equipment and technology and our jawans should be equipped with these. "We are constantly making endeavour in this regard. A soldier should be satisfied also, so for this, it is our endeavour to work."
PM Modi also said our jawans not just dedicate their lives to secure our frontiers, but also contribute at times like natural calamities and other disasters.
He also briefly spoke about OROP, saying that for the first time it has happened that government decided to set up a Commission and we made a "foolproof" arrangement.
PM Modi, while interacting with air force personnel at the Air Force base at Halwara this evening, said possibilities of economic progress become strong for a nation only when our jawans dedicate their life in securing us and making our security strong.
The PM, who was accompanied by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, arrived here after visiting war memorials related to the 1965 Indo-Pak war in Amritsar and Ferozepur districts. Halwara Air base saw action in that war.
Addressing the air force personnel, he said "the country was today celebrating Diwali, and people can live a secure life and sleep peacefully, which is possible when thousands of youths like you dedicate their life to protecting borders of this country."
The PM struck a chord with the air force personnel, who were standing at a distance, when he asked them to come closer to him saying, "there should be no gap between you and me."
Recalling his visit to the base with former Defence Minister George Fernandes, when he was a functionary in BJP and in-charge of party affairs of the State, he said "at that time, I did not know that I will get opportunity in this way to visit and meet you people."
He also told them that he had earlier on Wednesday visited three places connected with 1965 war, where jawans made supreme sacrifices for their country.
PM Modi said there was a time when military might used to determine how powerful a nation was.
"Now, economy, information technology have also become parameters. Therefore, for a nation's progress, when security is strong, possibilities of economic progress are strong," he said.
PM Modi said in past 18 months, India is being seen with respect in entire world, and an atmosphere of hope has been built, and investors around the globe were showing keenness to come here and invest.
"...guarantee of security here, democratic values, vibrant judiciary, these are our strength because of which world was looking at us," he said, adding an increase in FDI to 49 per cent, was in itself a big change.
Lauding the defence personnel, he said, those posted at borders and in Air Force doing their duty, while you are silently going about performing your duty, but you must not be aware the positive impact your work has on our country's development and growth. It helps the country to move forward.
Every single moment of your life helps in taking this nation forward.
PM Modi also said that times have changed and things have also changed for our forces.
He said military might, which earlier used to be dependent on the number of soldiers was now also linked and dependent on the technological advancements.
"India wants to touch new heights in this. During 15-16 months, we have taken important decisions in the defence sector," he said.
He further said there should be no dearth of modern equipment and technology and our jawans should be equipped with these. "We are constantly making endeavour in this regard. A soldier should be satisfied also, so for this, it is our endeavour to work."
PM Modi also said our jawans not just dedicate their lives to secure our frontiers, but also contribute at times like natural calamities and other disasters.
He also briefly spoke about OROP, saying that for the first time it has happened that government decided to set up a Commission and we made a "foolproof" arrangement.
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