PM Modi has always furthered the aspect of finding local solutions to not only local problems but also global issues. He has always emphasized on coordination among Ministries to be able to deliver on effective governance as well as fulfilling public needs and necessities.
Smriti Irani ji, Union Minister narrates one such anecdote involving a direct policy decision taken by PM Modi to enable the manufacturing of PPE Kits domestically during the COVID pandemic. She narrates how PM Modi envisioned an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ or a ‘Self-Reliant’ India in the manufacturing of PPE kits.
Nationwide lockdown was imposed in March 2020 owing to the COVID induced pandemic. India at that time did not possess the capability and capacity of manufacturing PPE kits and would import around fifty to fifty-five thousand PPE kits annually. An analysis by the Government then concluded that these PPE kits would only last for the coming month and that there would eventually be a shortfall.
It was PM Modi’s directive to ensure that India becomes ‘Aatmanirbhar’ in the manufacturing of PPE kits as the international borders were going to be sealed owing to the COVID pandemic. As PM Modi always emphasized on coordination across Ministries, the Health, External Affairs, Railways, Urban Development, Rural Development among other Ministries got along to discuss as to how PPE kits can be manufactured in India. The discussions were based on issues like, where would we source the cloth from and that how will the machines to manufacture PPE Kits be brought to India.
The then Aviation Minister Shri Hardeep Puri ji facilitated a plane from Japan that brought 30 machines with it to begin the production of PPE kits in India. Highlighting these coordinative efforts, Smriti Irani ji said that this particular instance is a shining example how Ministries across the Government under the leadership of PM Modi ensured a coordinated effort to enable the manufacturing of PPE Kits in India during a critical situation like the COVID pandemic.
As a result of these interventions by the Modi Government, in three months there were about 1100 companies manufacturing PPE kits which achieved a turnover of USD 1 Billion. About five lakh new jobs were created despite the lockdown in the country and India became the second largest exporter of PPE kits globally.
It was PM Modi’s endeavour that created the conditions for an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ or ‘Self-Reliant’ India which promoted the manufacturing of PPE suits enabling India to devise local solutions, for the resolution of both local and global challenges.
