MARKING TWO years after the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the 40 CRPF Jawans who died in the car bombing of his convoy and said their bravery will inspire generations.
“No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, the Pulwama attack happened. We pay tribute to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. His bravery will continue to inspire generations, ”Modi said.
Speaking in Chennai, the Prime Minister also praised the defense forces when he dedicated the “Arjun Mark 1A Main Battle Tank” designed and manufactured locally to the nation, and praised the farmers of Tamil Nadu.
He promised to protect the “legitimate interests” of Tamil Nadu fishermen, while noting that “there are no Indian fishermen in the custody of Sri Lanka” at present, and listed several initiatives his government has taken for the welfare of the Tamil population on the neighboring island. nation.
“We have also addressed the issue of Tamil rights in a consistent way with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice, peace and dignity, ”he said.
Modi was in Chennai to launch various initiatives, including laying the groundwork to modernize the 636 km long Grand Anicut canal system that will “improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres of land” in Thanjavur districts and Pudukkottai. In this context, he said: “I want to thank the farmers of Tamil Nadu for the record production of food grains and the good use of water resources.”
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the 9 km stretch of Phase One of the Chennai Metro. “In this year’s budget, more than Rs 63 billion has been set aside for the 119 km of the second phase of the project. This is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one go, ”he said.
But a key part of his speech was dedicated to the defense forces and he said he saw Tamil Nadu “evolving as the tank manufacturing center of India.” In the context of India and China signaling the start of a process of disengagement at the border in eastern Ladakh, the Prime Minister said that India will protect its sovereignty “at all costs”.
“India has made a massive effort to become self-sufficient in the defense sector. One of the two defensive corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The broker has already received investment commitments of more than Rs 8.1 billion. Today I am proud to dedicate one more warrior to the country to protect our borders. I am proud to deliver the “Arjun Mark 1A Main Battle Tank” designed and manufactured locally. It also uses indigenous ammunition, ”Modi said.
Referring to Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a manufacturing hub, he said: “Tamil Nadu is already the leading car manufacturing hub in India. Now I see Tamil Nadu evolving as the tank manufacturing center of India. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used on our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This shows the united spirit of India – the Ekta Darshan of Bharat. “
Praising the armed forces, the Prime Minister said: “They have shown time and again that they are fully capable of protecting our homeland. Time and again they have also shown that India believes in peace. But India will protect our sovereignty at all costs. “
Significantly, Modi also spoke in detail about India’s initiatives for “the well-being and aspirations of our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.” This, he said, includes 50,000 houses for the displaced in the northeast, 4,000 houses in plantation areas, a free ambulance, a hospital, an air connection between Jaffna and Chennai, and a railway network that is being rebuilt between Jaffna and Mannar. . “I am happy to share that India has built the Jaffna Cultural Center which we hope to open soon,” he said.
After signing off on his government’s projects for the state’s fishermen, Modi said that “modern fishing ports will be built in five centers, including Chennai.”
Referring to a thorny issue involving the community that has tenacious ties between India and Sri Lanka, Modi said: “The problem facing our fishermen is long-standing. I do not wish to go into the history of the problem. But let me assure you that my Government will always protect your legitimate interests. We have secured early release whenever fishermen are detained in Sri Lanka. More than 1,600 fishermen have been released during our tenure. Currently, there are no Indian fishermen in the custody of Sri Lanka. Likewise, 313 vessels have also been released and we are working to return the rest of the vessels, ”he said.
Also present at the function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai were Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Vice Minister CM O Panneerselvam and senior ministers of state.
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