Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot ji, Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashok ji, COO of Boeing Company in Bharat, Stephanie Pope, other industry partners, ladies and gentlemen!
A very warm welcome to all the esteemed guests from abroad in Bengaluru. Bengaluru connects aspirations with innovations and achievements, and links Bharat's technological potential with global demand. The inauguration of Boeing's new Global Technology Campus in Bengaluru is poised to reinforce this identity. Notably, this campus stands as Boeing Company's largest facility outside America, imparting fresh vigour not only to Bharat but also to the global aviation market. But friends, the importance of this facility is not limited to this. The significance of this facility resonates with Bharat’s commitment to steering global technological advancements, research, innovation, design, and demand. It bolsters our resolve of 'Make in India, Make For The World.' Moreover, the establishment of this campus underscores the world's confidence in Bharat's talent. Today is a celebration of the belief that one day, Bharat will design the 'Aircraft Of The Future' within this facility. Hence, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Boeing management and all stakeholders; and my best wishes to you all.
Friends,
Today marks a momentous day for the people of Karnataka as well. Last year, Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing factory was completed in Karnataka. Now they are also going to get this Global Technology Campus. This depicts how Karnataka is developing as a major aviation hub. I extend my congratulations, especially to the youth of Bharat, as this facility will offer them numerous opportunities to acquire new skills in the aviation sector.
Friends,
Our endeavour is to foster women's participation across every sector in the country today. As witnessed in one of our resolutions during the G-20 Summit, we have conveyed to the world that the era of women-led development has arrived. Our efforts extend to creating new opportunities for women in the Aviation and Aerospace Sector. Whether it be in the capacity of fighter pilots or within civil aviation, today, Bharat is a global leader in terms of women pilots. Proudly, I can state that 15 percent of Bharat’s pilots are women, which is three times more than the global average. The newly launched Boeing Sukanya programme is poised to further enhance the participation of our daughters in India's aviation sector. This initiative will actualize the dreams of daughters from economically disadvantaged families in remote areas aspiring to become pilots. Additionally, career coaching and development facilities for aspiring pilots will be established in numerous government schools across the country.
Friends,
In recent months, you witnessed the unprecedented success of Bharat's Chandrayaan, reaching places no other country had ventured before. This achievement has elevated the scientific temper among the youth of our nation. Bharat is a major hub for STEM education, with a considerable number of girls studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. I recall an instance during one of my foreign travels when a prominent world leader inquired about the interest of Indian daughters in STEM. To his surprise, I shared that we have more female students than male students in STEM. The Boeing Sukanya Programme is poised to harness the immense potential of Bharat's daughters in this field. Friends, you have all observed and studied the remarkable growth of Bharat as an aviation market and have been tracking its trajectory. In the past decade, Bharat's aviation market has undergone a profound transformation. Every stakeholder associated with the aviation sector is now brimming with newfound enthusiasm. Every stakeholder is exploring new possibilities in Bharat, from manufacturing to services. Today, Bharat proudly stands as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with the number of domestic passengers more than doubling in a decade. Initiatives like UDAN have played a pivotal role in this transformation. Now this number of domestic passengers is going to increase further in the next few years. With the increasing demand, Indian airlines have ordered hundreds of new aircraft, propelling Bharat to infuse fresh energy into the global aviation market.
Friends, our collective enthusiasm for Bharat’s Aviation Sector is palpable today. However, the question arises – what transpired in the last 10 years that propelled Bharat to such heights in the Global Aviation Sector? The answer lies in our commitment to prioritizing the aspirations and ease of living of our citizens. A time existed when poor air connectivity posed a significant challenge for us, hindering the conversion of our potential into performance. Thus, we prioritized investment in connectivity infrastructure, transforming Bharat into one of the most well-connected markets globally. In 2014, Bharat had approximately 70 operational airports, a number that has now doubled to around 150. Beyond constructing new airports, we have substantially increased the efficiency of our existing ones.
Friends,
As Bharat's airport capacity has expanded, the air cargo sector has witnessed rapid growth. This growth has facilitated the easier transportation of products from remote areas of Bharat to international markets. The rapidly growing Aviation Sector is not only contributing to Bharat's overall growth but is also driving employment generation.
Friends,
To ensure the continued and accelerated growth of its aviation sector, Bharat is consistently taking steps at the policy level. We are encouraging state governments to reduce taxes related to aviation fuel and working towards simplifying Aircraft Leasing. We are striving to reduce Bharat’s offshore dependence on aircraft leasing and financing. Therefore, the International Financial Services Centres Authority has also been established in GIFT City, benefiting the entire country's aviation sector.
Friends
I proclaimed from the ramparts of the Red Fort – 'this is the time, this is the right time'. It is also the opportune time for Boeing and other international companies to align their growth with Bharat's rapid progress. The commitment of 140 crore Indians is now focused on building a developed Bharat in the next 25 years. In the last 9 years, approximately 25 crore Indians have been lifted out of poverty, forming a burgeoning neo-middle class. Upward mobility is evident across all income groups in Bharat, and the tourism sector of the country is expanding rapidly, presenting numerous new possibilities for all of you. Seize this opportunity to the fullest.
Friends,
With such immense potential in Bharat, we must swiftly establish the aircraft manufacturing ecosystem. Bharat boasts a robust network of MSMEs and a vast talent pool. Coupled with a stable government and a policy approach that encourages 'Make in India', this creates a win-win situation for every sector. I believe that the people won't have to wait long for Boeing's first fully designed and manufactured aircraft in Bharat. I am confident that Bharat's aspirations and your expansion will emerge as a strong partnership. Best wishes to all of you again for this new facility, and especially for the commendable work done for the 'Divyangjan' (differently-abled). And in my interactions with the people, I did not just see a system, but also felt an 'emotional touch' in it. And without the conviction of the Boeing team, emotional touch is not possible. I particularly congratulate the Boeing team for the same. Thank you very much
