Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat on October 19-20, 2022 and dedicated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 15,670 crore.
PM Inaugurates DefExpo22 at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘DefExpo22’ during his visit to Gujarat at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The theme of the expo is “Path to Pride.”
Key Points:
i.This is the first defence expo to feature a defence exhibition hosted specifically for Indian companies, including those that are joint venture partners with Indian firms as well as Indian subsidiaries of foreign OEMs.
ii.The expo featured ten state pavilions in addition to an India Pavilion where the PM introduced the HTT-40, an indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Status of India’s Defence Sector
i.Between 2017 and 2022, India’s defence exports increased eightfold, and now exports defence materials and equipment to over 75 countries.
ii.In 2021-22, India’s defence exports amounted to USD 1.59 billion (around Rs. 13,000 crore). It has set a target of USD 5 billion (Rs. 40,000 crore).
iii.India is constructing two defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Noteworthy Events On the Sidelines of DefExpo22
i.The 2nd India-Africa Defence Dialogue took place during the expo with the theme “India-Africa: Adopting a strategy for synergizing Defence and Security Cooperation.”
ii.During the Expo, the 2nd Indian Ocean Region+ (IOR+) Conclave was conducted, providing a platform for a comprehensive dialogue to boost defence cooperation among IOR+ nations.
- It intends to achieve peace, growth, stability, and prosperity, in accordance with the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative.
iii.The first-ever ‘Investors’ Meet for Defence’ was held during the Expo.
iv.The expo witnessed Manthan 2022, the defence innovation event of iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), startups were given the opportunity to present their concepts.
v.During the programme, the Prime Minister also launched “Mission DefSpace,” a programme to develop innovative space solutions for the Defence Forces through industry and startups.
vi.The PM also laid the foundation for the Deesa airfield in Gujarat, stating that the forward air force base will contribute to India’s security architecture.
Note: People from Kutch, Gujarat, participated in the construction of the first railway lines in Africa.
PM Launches Mission Schools of Excellence at Trimandir, Adalaj, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi unveiled the Mission Schools of Excellence, an initiative with a 10,000 crore budget, at Trimandir in Adalaj, Gujarat.
- He also unveiled projects worth roughly Rs. 4260 crores at Trimandir.
The mission aims to boost Gujarat’s education infrastructure by establishing new classrooms, smart classrooms, computer labs, and overall upgradation of the infrastructure of schools.
Note:
With a budget of Rs. 27, 000 crore, about 14.5 thousand PM-SHRI schools would be established in the future to serve as model schools for the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
PM Lays Foundation Stone of Various Development Projects Worth Around Rs 3580 Crore in Junagadh, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation for a number of development projects worth around Rs 3580 crore in Junagadh, Gujarat, which include
- The improvement of coastal highways along with the construction of missing links
- In the first phase of this project, a total highway length of over 270 Km will be covered across 13 districts.
- Two water supply projects
- The construction of a godown complex for storage of Agri products at Junagadh
In Porbandar, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for the holistic development of Shri Krishan Rukshamani Mandir in Madhavpur.
- He also laid the foundation for sewage and water supply projects, as well as maintenance dredging at Porbandar Fishery Harbour.
The PM laid the foundation for two initiatives, including the development of a fishing port at Madhwad at Gir Somnath.
Key Points:
i.The new Coastal Highway will pass through numerous districts in Central and South Gujarat, including Porbandar, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Morbi in addition to Junagadh.
ii.The PM referred to the region — Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Porbandar as the tourism capital of Gujarat.
Note: Kesar Mangoes are grown in Gujarat.
PM Lays Foundation Stone & Dedicates to The Nation Projects Worth Around Rs. 5860 Crores in Rajkot, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone and dedicated projects worth around Rs. 5860 crores in Rajkot, Gujarat, and also launched the India Urban Housing Conclave 2022.
- He dedicated the 1144 houses built as part of the Light House Project (LHP).
Various projects dedicated by the PM include a water supply project, the Morbi-Bulk pipeline project from Brahmani-2 Dam to Narmada Canal Pumping Station, a regional science centre, flyover bridges, and other road connectivity projects.
Projects for Which Foundation Stone Was Laid by The PM
- Foundation stone of six laning of the existing four-lane of Rajkot-Gondal-Jetpur section of NH27 in Gujarat.
- GIDC industrial estates worth around Rs 2950 crore at various locations in Morbi, Rajkot, Botad, Jamnagar and Kutch.
- The AMUL-fed dairy plant at Gadhka
- The construction of an indoor sports complex in Rajkot
- Two water supply projects and other projects in the roads and railways sector
Key Points:
i.Rajkot (Gujarat) is one of the 6 locations in India selected for the Light House Project (LHP).
- Other LHPs are being constructed in Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).
ii.Morbi ceramic tiles are famous across the world, and Morbi alone manufactures more than 13% of the world’s ceramics.
- Morbi is known as the Town of Export Excellence.
PM Lays Foundation Stone of Multiple Development Initiatives Worth Over Rs. 1970 Crore in Vyara, Tapi, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation for several development initiatives worth over Rs. 1970 crore in Vyara, Tapi, Gujarat.
- The projects include constructing missing links and upgrading the road from Saputara to the Statue of Unity, as well as water supply projects in the Tapi and Narmada districts worth more than Rs 300 crore.
Note: On November 15, 2022, India will observe Tribal Pride Day in honour of the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
PM Launches Mission LiFE at Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat
PM Narendra Modi launched ‘Mission LiFE’ at the ‘Statue of Unity’n Ekta Nagar, Kevadia (Gujarat) and had a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres.
- ‘LiFE’ stands for ‘Lifestyle For Environment’.
The PM will also attend the 10th Heads of Missions Conference, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Kevadia from October 20–22, 2022.
Note: The Statue of Unity is the largest statue in the world and honours Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.
Mission LiFE
i.Mission LiFE intends to change people’s collective perspective to sustainability through a three-pronged plan, which includes:
- By encouraging people to adopt basic yet efficient eco-friendly practises in their daily lives (Demand)
- By enabling markets and industries to respond quickly to shifting demand (Supply)
- By influencing industrial and governmental policies to promote sustainable production and consumption (Policy)
ii.Mission LiFE incorporates the spirit of the P3 concept, i.e., Pro Planet People.
India’s commitment to combat climate change
i.In India, the annual per capita carbon footprint is only about 1.5 tonnes, compared to the global average of 4 tonnes per year.
ii.India ranks 5th in solar energy and 4th in wind energy.
iii.India’s capacity for Renewable Energy has grown by roughly 290 % over the last 7-8 years.
iv.India has met its goal of achieving 40% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources 9 years ahead of deadline.
v.India has also met its goal of blending 10% ethanol into gasoline, 5 months ahead of schedule.
vi.With the National Hydrogen Mission, India has taken steps toward a sustainable energy source and aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
vii.India has also become the world’s 5th largest economy, and it hopes to achieve its climatic goals through the global campaign One Sun, One World, One Grid.
viii.By taking the lead in founding the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), India has shared its concept on environmental protection with the world.
Points to be Noted
- In 2014, PM Modi suggested June 21 be designated as the International Day of Yoga in his address at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- The UNGA has proclaimed 2023 to be the International Year of Millets after the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) approved India’s proposal for it in 2018.
- The Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will convene in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary General – António Guterres
Founded – 1945
Headquarters – New York, USA
