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Sapta Shakti Command’s Gyan Shakti Think Tank Organizes Inaugural Seminar on “Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing: Opportunities in Rajasthan” in Collaboration with FICCI
Jaipur, 11 November 2024: Gyan Shakti Think Tank (GSTT), established by Sapta Shakti Command, Jaipur, hosted its inaugural seminar on “Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing: Opportunities in Rajasthan” at the Jaipur Military Station on 11th November 2024. The seminar, conducted in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), emphasized Rajasthan’s potential to play a pivotal role in fostering self-reliance in the defence sector, and marked a significant step towards regional industrial advancement in alignment with the central government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.”
The event was graced by Honourable Minister for Industry & Commerce, IT & Communications, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and FICCI Co-Chairman Mr. Ankit Mehta, while Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, Army Commander, Sapta Shakti Command, delivered the keynote address.
GSTT, as a new initiative under the Sapta Shakti Command, aims to provide a comprehensive platform for veterans, scholars, academia, and industry experts to deliberate on national and regional security issues, along with broader defence-related discussions. It intends to harness the extensive experience and domain knowledge of veterans and integrate these insights with industry and academic capabilities to enhance strategic thinking, contributing to national growth and security in alignment with government objectives. By acting as a Centre of Excellence and a repository of knowledge, GSTT aims to bolster intellectual activity and promote sustainable development, particularly in defence manufacturing.
The seminar represented GSTT’s first endeavour towards advancing the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence production. It focused on recognizing the potential of Rajasthan to become a major player in the Indian defence ecosystem and aimed at uniting stakeholders across industry, academia, government, and the armed forces to explore the establishment of a Defence Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Repair Hub in Rajasthan.
Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, in his address, congratulated Lt Gen Manjinder Singh and Sapta Shakti Command on creating GSTT. He highlighted the importance of such a platform in uniting veterans, industry leaders, and scholars, as well as government officials, to contribute to the nation’s defence and economic growth. The minister stressed that Rajasthan, with its strategic location, infrastructure, and resources, is ideally suited to host a robust defence hub that would not only bolster national security but also boost the state’s economy. He reiterated the state government’s full support for these efforts, expressing confidence in Rajasthan’s potential to emerge as a significant player in India’s self-reliance efforts in the defence sector.
Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, in his keynote address, expanded on GSTT’s role in promoting regional and national development, underscoring the importance of defence self-reliance in current times. He pointed to Rajasthan’s strategic location with its extensive borders and connectivity through robust road, rail, and air networks as ideal assets for fostering a defence ecosystem. Lt Gen Singh noted that Rajasthan’s industrial capacity, particularly through its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), holds immense potential to support the defence sector’s needs and contribute to defence exports. He further drew parallels between this seminar’s objectives and the vision of “Rising Rajasthan,” as articulated by the state’s Chief Minister, who aims to transform Rajasthan into a $350 billion economy by 2029.
The seminar saw the participation of over 29 industries and MSMEs, with 23 stalls set up by various defence agencies, startups, and manufacturers, showcasing their capabilities and innovations in the defence sector. The exhibitors highlighted technological advancements, manufacturing capacities, and local initiatives aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission in the defence space.
The discussions and deliberations during the seminar underscored the significance of Rajasthan’s potential to host a thriving defence hub that can meet the demands of both domestic security needs and the growing defence export market. This event marked an important milestone for GSTT and Sapta Shakti Command, as they continue to chart a strategic path for Rajasthan’s development within India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The successful hosting of this seminar in collaboration with FICCI is expected to foster further collaboration and initiatives that leverage the strategic, economic, and industrial advantages of Rajasthan, ultimately contributing to the state’s growth and India’s self-reliant future in defence.
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