PM Modi's 75th: A re-emphasised focus on national security and self-reliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his 75th birthday on Wednesday, reemphasised focus on national security and self-reliance while launching welfare and development schemes in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar. 

Reiterating his stance on buying and selling Indian goods, PM Modi called upon putting up posters in shops and taking pride in the trade of indigenous goods. 

He also referred to "Operation Sindoor", India's precision attack on Pakistan, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Emphasising India's fearless approach, whenever threatened with nuclear weapons, the PM said, "India brought Pakistan to its knees. New India is not afraid of any nuclear threats." 

He also mentioned the statement of Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri about the killing of terror group leader Masood Azhar during an air strike on Bahawalpur during Operation Sindoor. Adding that the Indian Army responded to the Pahalgam terror attack by destroying terrorist bases in Pakistan. 

Speaking about the 77th anniversary of Operation Polo, which led the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948, he said, "Today, September 17th, is another historic day. On this day, the country witnessed the iron will of Sardar Patel (India's first Home Minister). The Indian Army liberated Hyderabad and protected its rights. Decades passed, but this achievement was not celebrated. But our government immortalised this event. We started celebrating this day as Hyderabad Liberation Day." 

PM Modi also stressed taking advantage of the new exemptions in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from September 22 by buying "Made in India" goods, saying that he will ask the state governments to take the initiative in this direction. 

He asked people to consider buying everything that is made in India. The PM said, "Please help me with this for the country. I want to build a developed India by 2047. The path to that lies through a self-reliant India. Whatever you buy and sell should be made in India. Mahatma Gandhi made Swadeshi (self-reliance), the foundation of the freedom movement. We must make it essential for a developed India." 

PM Modi asked for a check during the festivals, whether Diwali idols, decorative items, TVs, and refrigerators are made in India. Adding that his government is focused on farms, fiber, factories, and fashion markets, among other sectors. 

After laying the foundation stone of the PM Mitra Park in Dhar, PM said, "Necessary infrastructure has been completed at the PM Mitra Park in Dhar (Madhya Pradesh). This will create new employment opportunities and reduce manufacturing costs. We are going to build six more such PM Mitra Parks." 

As he launched the 'Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan' in the district today, the PM talked about his government's focus on women. He said, "Millions of women are setting up new industries by taking Mudra loans. The government is engaged in a campaign to transform 30 million rural women into Lakhpati Didis (millionaires). In such a short time, nearly 20 million women have become Lakhpati Didis." 

Urging the people to focus on women's health, he said, "When the mother is well, everything is fine. If the mother is ill, all systems collapse. Not a single woman should fall victim to a serious illness due to a lack of information or resources. Many diseases come silently and gradually become serious. It is important to detect these diseases in the early stages. Therefore, all these diseases will be screened as a part of this campaign."