Pokhran tests demonstrated India’s might to the world: Shri Narendra Modi

Published By : Admin | May 11, 2017 | 15:38 IST

Since 1999, 11th May is commemorated as the National Technology Day to mark India’s scientific prowess and technological advancements. It was obvious to choose 11th May, as it was on the same date in 1998, India successfully conducted first among the five series of nuclear tests in Pokhran under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The tests showcased India’s might to the entire world.

Recalling the stellar contributions made by India’s scientists in the Pokhran tests, Shri Narendra Modi says in one of his speeches, “The world is well aware of the Pokhran tests. Under Atal ji’s leadership, successful tests were carried out and the entire world was witness to India’s might. The scientists made the nation proud.”

Recalling the instance, Shri Modi further opines, “After the first series of tests the world community placed sanctions on India. On 13th May 1998, Atal ji again called for tests, thus showing that he was made of a different mettle. If we had had a weak PM, he or she would have got scared on the same day. But Atal ji was different. He did not get scared.”

Lauding the role people of Pokhran played by keeping silent during the nuclear tests, Shri Modi says, “People of Pokhran must be lauded for maintaining silence during entire duration when the tests were planned and conducted. They placed interest of the nation above everything else.”

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Chairs Second High-Level Meeting with Secretaries of Government of India
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Sectors discussed: Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the second high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. He reviewed the future action agenda of Ministries and Departments dealing with Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology sectors. The meeting focused on accelerating progress towards the goals of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister called for a strong focus on team building across Ministries and Departments, urging officers to work with a shared sense of purpose. He emphasised the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government so that departments function in close coordination and deliver integrated outcomes.

Highlighting the importance of citizen-centric governance, Prime Minister said that the people of India must remain at the centre of governance. He reminded that every decision and policy should be guided by the interests and aspirations of the common citizen.

Prime Minister stressed that while India is making significant investments in infrastructure, equal priority must be given to developing indigenous technologies. He underscored the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors.

Prime Minister underlined that energy security is closely linked with national security, economic stability and citizens’ welfare. Prime Minister said India must achieve self-reliance in the energy sector through innovation, diversification and accelerated capacity creation.

Emphasising that reforms are not merely a fashionable term but a continuous necessity for effective governance, Prime Minister stressed the need to reform processes, improve work culture and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Prime Minister said that growing use of technology must be accompanied by a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems and infrastructure. He stressed the need for constant vigilance against emerging cyber threats. He called for encouraging greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity ecosystem and emphasised that it should evolve into a nationwide movement.

Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of proactive communication on strategic sectors where the country is undertaking major initiatives, to counter misinformation and unfounded fears surrounding such efforts.

Prime Minister says that new academic courses should be planned in partnership with industry to equip the workforce with skills required by emerging and future industries. He also observed that a government must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation.

The meeting featured detailed discussions by Secretaries on the progress, priorities and implementation issues across their respective domains. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of key Ministries and Departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.