logo
‘Maharashtra's role integral to country's growth': CM Devendra Fadnavis reaffirms commitment to development

‘Maharashtra's role integral to country's growth': CM Devendra Fadnavis reaffirms commitment to development

Indian Express2 days ago
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the state will play a significant role in realising the 'Viksit Bharat' vision and will rise to the challenge of shouldering the responsibility to make the country self-reliant.
'Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is marching forward. In just a short span of a decade, it has emerged as the fourth-largest global economy. Maharashtra's role is integral to this growth. The role of Viksit Maharashtra in Viksit Bharat is significant,' Fadnavis said, hoisting the national flag at Mantralaya on the 79th Independence Day.
Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said that Maharashtra leads in infrastructure development and investments, and has to come forward to shoulder PM Modi's clarion call for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
Maharashtra has a huge potential which has to be tapped to contribute to national growth, he observed. 'Forty per cent of the total foreign direct investment comes to Maharashtra. This helps in generating new avenues of employment. The state has focused on skill development, human resources and education. The state has already taken the lead with startups. Through skill development, it will equip individuals to meet industrial requirements. This will open the doors for employment,' Fadnavis said.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Fadnavis said, 'Our armed forces have shown their power and might to the world. Through discipline and precision, the armed forces demolished the terror hubs in Pakistan and gave a befitting reply to our enemies.'
Reiterating the state government's commitment to the agriculture sector, Fadnavis said, 'By shifting the agriculture sector to solar power, we will ensure uninterrupted 12-hour electricity to farmers in the day.' This project will be completed by December 2026, and the state will accomplish 100 per cent green energy.
Fadnavis also mentioned the Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking project, saying the surplus water will be diverted to the Godavari Basin, and this would help tackle drought in the Marathwada region. 'We are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence in the agriculture sector to help farmers,' he added.
Fadnavis also spoke about how the police and security forces have worked to maintain law and order in Maharashtra. 'Police forces have worked to make Gadchiroli Naxal-free. The Naxal tag has been wiped away. The tribal district of Gadchiroli is now set to become India's steel hub,' he said.
Fadnavis also highlighted numerous mega projects across sectors such as roads, airports, and ports, including the Vadhavan Port, new airports at Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, etc, the Samruddhi Mahamarg and Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, etc.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Punjab finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema leads I-Day celebration in Ropar
Punjab finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema leads I-Day celebration in Ropar

Time of India

time18 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Punjab finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema leads I-Day celebration in Ropar

Ropar: Punjab finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema hoisted the national flag at the 79th Independence Day celebration held at Nehru Stadium, Ropar, on Friday. Following the flag hoisting, Cheema, escorted by deputy commissioner Varjeet Walia and senior superintendent of police Gulneet Singh Khurana, inspected the parade. Led by DSP Jashandeep Singh Maan, contingents from the Punjab police (male and female), Punjab home guards, various schools and a band participated in the march past. Cheema paid tribute to the freedom fighters, including Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai and Diwan Singh Kalepani, whose struggles secured the country's freedom. He proudly stated that Punjabis have made the most sacrifices in the freedom struggle. While addressing the gathering, he highlighted the state govt's commitment to restore Punjab to its former glory. He noted that in honour of the freedom fighters, the Mohali International Airport was named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh , and his statue was installed there. Furthermore, portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr B R Ambedkar had been placed in all govt offices, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo He emphasised the govt's significant achievements in education, health and employment. He claimed the Punjab govt has provided more than 55,000 govt jobs. In the National Achievement Survey 2024, Punjab's education system ranked first, surpassing states like Kerala. This year, 848 govt school students qualified for NEET, 265 for JEE (Main) and 45 for JEE (Advanced). In the health sector, the finance minister announced revolutionary changes. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi clinics are operational, offering 107 types of medicines and 47 lab tests free of cost. He also announced that a health insurance scheme of up to Rs 10 lakh for every family will be implemented from Oct 2. This scheme, which requires only an Aadhaar and voter card to avail, will cover medical expenses for all citizens of Punjab, regardless of income. Around 3 crore people are expected to benefit from this initiative, which includes impanelment of 552 private and all govt hospitals, with plans to add 500 more hospitals soon. Cheema honoured the district's freedom fighters and veterans with shawls, calling them the pride of the nation whose sacrifices allowed citizens to enjoy freedom today. The event featured a vibrant cultural programme with performances, including choreography, dances and gidda by students from various schools. The sports department of Rup Nagar presented a skit on 'Freedom from Drugs' prepared by Rup Nagar's sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sanjeev Kumar. Impressed by the band performance of Shivalik Public School, Cheema announced a grant of Rs 15 lakh for the school. A play titled 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', written by SDM Dr Sanjeev Kumar and performed by students of Government Senior Secondary School, Phulpur Grewal, was also presented. Moved by the performance, Cheema led all attendees in an anti-drug pledge and personally contributed Rs 21,000 from his salary to the school. The programme concluded with the national anthem, performed by the students of Shivalik Public School. MSID:: 123333915 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

India, South Korea resolve to set ‘new industrial ambition' in high-tech sectors
India, South Korea resolve to set ‘new industrial ambition' in high-tech sectors

Indian Express

time34 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

India, South Korea resolve to set ‘new industrial ambition' in high-tech sectors

India and South Korea on Saturday resolved to expand their strategic partnership by setting new 'industrial ambition' in the areas of semiconductor, defence, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. Ways to ramp up the overall bilateral cooperation figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his visiting South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar and Hyun agreed to set new industrial ambitions, especially in high-tech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, clean energy, shipbuilding, and the defence industry. The ministers took stock of bilateral cooperation, including in the political, security, trade and economy, technological, and people-to-people domains, it said. In a social media post, Jaishankar said, 'Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime and people-to-people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence.' Jaishankar said he and Hyun also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global developments. 'Appreciated our deepening convergences and growing engagement as our Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years,' he said. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar also thanked Seoul for its condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Jaishankar made a mention of Seoul's support to an Indian parliamentary delegation that visited South Korea in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. 'You have been barely a month in the job (as the foreign minister), the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship,' Jaishankar said. The MEA said Jaishankar and Hyun reaffirmed the strong and growing 'special strategic partnership' between the two countries. The partnership is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust, shared economic interests, and commitment to regional and global peace and stability, it said.

Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC
Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee on Friday offered viewers a rare inside look at Operation Sindoor, India's counterterror mission launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, during a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC Wing Commander Singh detailed the precision strikes that crippled terrorist infrastructure. 'We attacked in the interiors of the enemy to break their backs. The hands of those who watered the cactus of terrorism were broken. Twenty-one terror camps were recognised. Nine camps were finalised, and the game was done in 25 minutes,' she said. Colonel Qureshi explained the targets. 'Bahawalpur was the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, from where terrorists who attacked Pathankot and Pahalgam were trained; Muridke had the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, where Ajmal Kasab and David Headley were trained. Therefore, we had to destroy those places.' Singh added that terrorist camps operated under the cover of civilians. 'We are a peace-loving nation and want to live in synergy with our neighbours. Our next-gen tech weapons were so advanced now that we made the operation possible without any civilian fatalities.' Qureshi emphasised that the mission reflected a whole-of-nation approach involving the government and armed forces. Commander Deosthalee outlined the Navy's role. 'The Navy was battle-ready. We managed the trade routes to stabilise the economy and also ensured deterrence, as a dual job. We also protected the maritime borders as there were anti-national elements that entered in the past. Being part in this mission is a matter of pride and honour.' She described naval warfare as '360 degrees of uncertainty with no room for error in the middle of the endless sea without borders,' adding, 'When we strike, we strike in a manner that the enemy would remember forever.' The officers also credited local citizens for their role in rescue efforts after the Pahalgam attack, recalling the bravery shown despite the loss of Navy officer Vinay Narwal. On the preparedness of the armed forces, Singh said they were in 'offence mode.' Qureshi revealed that Pakistan had sent 300–400 drones, both armed and unarmed. 'They sent unarmed drones to scan India's weapon and defence capability around the Line of Control and the international border. But the Army Air Defence successfully disabled their attempts,' she said. Highlighting women's participation, Qureshi noted that over 100 women are involved in Operation Sindoor, trained on par with their male counterparts. 'This enabled them to handle the operations seamlessly.' Singh added, 'A weapon or a fighter aircraft doesn't distinguish between males and females.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store