Our Armed Forces are strong pillars of national security, are unparalleled globally: CM Yogi

Lucknow : “The Indian Armed Forces are unparalleled globally. Even India’s enemies acknowledge the strength, discipline, and technical prowess of its armed forces.” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed these sentiments during an Armed Forces ceremony on Tuesday.

Stressing that the armed forces of also tackle challenging situations within the country, Yogi remarked that the grand event offered a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Integrated Command, where the coordination between the Army, Air Force, and Navy ensures swift victories over the enemy.

He said, “The Armed Forces are not merely a defence structure; they are the bedrock of our nation’s security, and we must never forget this. Our brave soldiers stand ready to serve the country, even at the cost of their lives, earning them the status of national heroes in the people’s hearts. We take immense pride in having such a capable and dedicated army, one that is prepared to defend the nation under any circumstances. “

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted that the vigilance of India’s brave soldiers has enabled the nation to safeguard its borders with unwavering strength, even in the face of adverse circumstances, successfully thwarting significant conspiracies.

“The courage and valor of our soldiers provide reassurance to 140 crore Indians. Uttar Pradesh is fortunate to be the land of heroes, with its youth having made significant contributions in every war fought for the nation’s security”, CM Yogi stated further.

CM Yogi emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of serving and retired soldiers and the families of fallen heroes.

“The government provides an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50 lahks to the families of soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the country’s defence, ensures government employment for a family member in the Uttar Pradesh government, and honours their memory by naming institutions and establishing memorials in their honour”, the Chief Minister remarked.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has made rapid strides towards achieving self-reliance in defense production over the past decade, CM Yogi asserted.

The CM said that in February 2018, at the Investors Summit in Lucknow, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of two defence manufacturing corridors in the country. One of these corridors is being developed across six nodes in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has made significant progress by establishing strong coordination with the Ministry of Defense on all these nodes, he pointed out.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The DRDO BrahMos’s establishment of two key projects in Lucknow and Bharat Dynamics Limited in the Jhansi node of the Defense Industrial Corridor is progressing rapidly. These projects will enhance the country’s military strength and bolster national security by developing the latest equipment and technology on Indian soil, further empowering our defence services. Uttar Pradesh will continue to play a leading role in these national defence efforts.”

He emphasized that the Defense Corridor also creates significant employment opportunities for the state’s youth. The successful organization of the Defense Expo in February 2020 in Lucknow was crucial from an investment perspective.

Uttar Pradesh is already home to defence-related entities like HAL, Ordnance Factories, and Bharat Electronics Limited, and the state government is committed to their expansion.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt wishes to all three wings of the Armed Forces for their continued service. He noted that the Armed Forces Ceremony will serve as a new source of inspiration for society and the younger generation, allowing the public to understand the strength of our armed forces and the vital role our soldiers play in ensuring the nation’s security.