Calls Carrier a ‘Towering Symbol’ of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali today with the armed forces personnel on board the INS Vikrant, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. In a powerful address, the Prime Minister hailed the warship as a monumental achievement and a symbol of India’s self-reliance, while extending Diwali greetings to the entire nation from the deck of the carrier.
Recalling the day the indigenously built INS Vikrant was commissioned, the Prime Minister reiterated his earlier remarks, stating, “Vikrant is not merely a warship; it is a testament to 21st-century India’s hard work, talent, impact, and commitment.” He emphasized that the carrier is a “towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India,” reflecting the nation’s growing military prowess.
The Prime Minister noted the significance of the moment, describing the scene with the vast ocean and the immense strength of the Navy, stating, “The sparkle of sunlight on the sea resembles the lamps lit by valiant soldiers during Deepavali, forming a divine garland of lights.”
Modi proudly highlighted the progress of India’s armed forces towards self-reliance over the past decade. He noted that the forces have identified thousands of items to be manufactured domestically, leading to a significant reduction in imports.
India’s defence production has more than tripled over the last eleven years, crossing $1.5 lakh crore last year.
Indian shipyards have delivered over 40 indigenous warships and submarines to the Navy since 2014, with a new indigenous vessel being inducted on average every 40 days.
The Prime Minister declared an ambitious goal: “India’s goal is to be counted among the world’s top defence exporters.” He informed the nation that defence exports have increased more than 30-fold over the past decade, citing the success of missiles like BrahMos and Akash.
Addressing the Indian Navy’s strategic role, the Prime Minister positioned it as the “guardian of the Indian Ocean,” crucial for securing maritime routes where a significant portion of the world’s trade passes. He also commended the forces for their global humanitarian efforts, citing operations like ‘Operation Neer’ in the Maldives and relief missions in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Additionally, Modi acknowledged a major domestic security achievement, stating that due to the valour and determination of the security forces, the nation is “eliminating Maoist terrorism.” He reported that the number of districts affected by Maoist violence has been drastically reduced from about 125 before 2014 to just 11 today, allowing millions of people to celebrate Diwali in peace for the first time.
The Prime Minister concluded with an expression of pride in the armed forces, asserting that they possess “the courage to lead time, the valour to cross the infinite, and the spirit to overcome the insurmountable,” and declared, “the mountain peaks where our soldiers stand firm will remain as victory pillars of India.”
