Asserting that his Government fast forwarded pending defence projects for years and ensured they materialised on ground, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Monday the Government will take all “big and tough” decisions to ensure national security.
Making this point while addressing the National Cadet Corps (NCC) rally, he also said India is a strong proponent of peace but it will not hesitate to take steps to ensure national security.
He also said corruption cannot be a part of “New India” and those indulging in graft will not be spared.
The “New India”, he said, will give opportunities and respect to “karmayogi” (the one who proves himself through his work).
“I want to assure you that your family of birth, your economic situation...This will not determine your future. Your skills, hardwork and self-confidence will give you results,” he said. The Prime Minister said his Government is trying to replace the VIP culture with EPI — “Every Person is Important”.
At a time when he has been facing attacks from the Opposition over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Modi said, “Projects pending since decades related fighter aircraft and modernisation have materialised on the ground. Missiles, tanks and helicopters are being made. “I want to assure the nation and the youths that in coming days all big and tough decisions will be taken that are necessary for the security of the country,” Modi said.
He said a lot of important decisions have been taken for defence and security in the last four-and-a-half years and that India is now among the select few countries which have developed the nuclear triad.
The Prime Minister noted that whatever the Government has been able to do, has been actively supported by the youth.
“You (the youth) took forward the cleanliness movement through the Swachchh Bharat movement, you backed a tough decision like demonetisation aimed at fighting corruption, you played an important role in bringing in clean and transparent system through Digital India. You saved every programme from becoming just a Government initiative,” he said.
Emphasising that there was no difference between girls and boys, Modi said the Government has taken steps to ensure that girls are connected to every possible opportunity. He said women have donned the role of fighter pilots, an all-women crew of the Indian Navy circumnavigated the world, and now his Government has taken steps to induct women in military police and take it to nearly 20 per cent of the corp.
Modi appreciated the hard work put in by the cadets, many of whom come from villages and small towns. He said many NCC cadets have gone on to make the country proud. In this context, he mentioned famous athlete Hima Das.
