Defence Minister Speaks at Lucknow North Region Intellectuals’ Dialogue

People of PoK Will Themselves Demand to Join India
India to Become World’s Third-Largest Economy in Two Years: Rajnath Singh

Lucknow: Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh said that the government has achieved miraculous feats. The global perception once was that India was a country of the poor, but that perception has changed. India’s economy has risen from the 11th to the 5th spot globally, and financial institutions predict that within the next two years, India will become one of the world’s top three economies.

Addressing an intellectual dialogue with the people of Lucknow North Mandal-4 at the auditorium of Maharishi University on Sunday, the Defence Minister highlighted how 11 years ago, only two mobile phone manufacturing units existed in India—today there are 270. India now ranks first globally in digital transactions. In defence, even small parts once had to be imported, and exporting goods worth ₹600 crore was considered significant. Today, India exports arms worth ₹24,000 crore, and by 2029, that figure will rise to ₹50,000 crore.

During the open forum, there was a demand to merge Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India. It was pointed out that the Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan began in Lucknow, and now the time has come to reclaim PoK. Rajnath Singh said that the people of PoK themselves will demand to be a part of India, and he is confident that day will come soon. He added that India’s military power has significantly increased. The BrahMos missile being manufactured in Lucknow will not only serve India but also be exported globally—he is set to inaugurate its facility on May 11.

Singh admitted that not everything has been achieved as desired but acknowledged the faith the people of Lucknow placed in him by electing him three times. “Despite my responsibilities as Home and Defence Minister, and frequent travel abroad, whatever I could accomplish for Lucknow is due to your blessings—and the credit goes entirely to you,” he said.

When a demand for road construction in Keshav Nagar was raised, Singh instructed MLA Dr. Neeraj Bora to act on it. A demand for a government degree college in the region was also made. Praising Dr. Bora, Singh said he always meets him with local problems, and they are resolved accordingly.

Starting the program, MLA Dr. Neeraj Bora shared that earlier most of the four wards in Faizullaganj were undeveloped, but now around 70% of roads have been paved. Wooden poles have been replaced with concrete ones and ABC wiring. A power substation has been built in Daudnagar, a primary health center opened, and a 50-bed hospital is under construction. A 9 km-long covered drainage system is being developed. A new bridge next to Harding Bridge and a permanent bridge replacing the pontoon bridge connecting Faizullaganj to Old Lucknow are underway. A green corridor, community center in Daudnagar, senior citizen daycare in Jankipuram Sector F, and a large library in Jankipuram Extension are also being built. The construction of an overbridge at Engineering College and an underpass for Sahara State are major developments for the area. Dr. Bora expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister for his contributions to Lucknow’s holistic development.

Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak remarked that Faizullaganj was once prone to infectious diseases, but under the state government’s Communicable Diseases Campaign—which started from Lucknow North—the situation has improved drastically. He added that under Rajnath Singh’s guidance, Lucknow now enjoys amenities on par with the world’s major cities.

The dialogue was attended by BJP city president Anand Dwivedi, MLC Mukesh Sharma, Ramchandra Pradhan, Diwakar Tripathi, Pushkar Shukla, Trilok Adhikari, Ghanshyam Agrawal, Shailendra Sharma Atal, Mandal president Shailendra Maurya, councilor Rashmi Singh, Pradeep Shukla, Priyanka Bajpai, Ramudas Kanojia, and other office bearers, workers, and intellectuals from North Mandal-4. The program was moderated by BJP city vice president Dr. Vivek Singh Tomar.