BrahMos testing facility in Lucknow will strengthen India's self-reliance: Rajnath Singh
Singh said this at an event in Lucknow where he unveiled the statue of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Chandra Bhanu Gupta at the National PG College and released a postage stamp.
"Just a few days ago, I inaugurated the integration and testing facility of BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow. This facility will strengthen our country's self-reliance in the defence sector and also create employment," he said.
He praised the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh due to which investments are increasing and industries are flourishing in the state.
"Historical changes are taking place in infrastructure. Expressway, airport, metro, medical college - all these are presenting a new picture of development," the defence minister said.
Singh, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow, also showered praises on former UP CM Chandra Bhanu Gupta.
Gupta served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for four terms.
Singh said, "Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji started as a simple worker in the freedom movement and made a place in the hearts of millions of people through his sacrifice, commitment and leadership. Chandra Bhanu Gupta's life tells us that power does not mean only position or authority, but responsibility, sacrifice and protecting the interests of the public.
"His life also gives us the message that there may be differences in politics but there should not be animosity," he said.
Singh also said that Gupta was more of a public servant than a leader. "He was not just the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on multiple occasions, but he was among the leaders who emerged from the Indian freedom struggle," Singh said.
Singh, who is also the former UP CM, said, "Whenever we discuss the glorious past of Uttar Pradesh, the name of Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji is taken prominently. Today, when we are releasing this postage stamp, it is not only a tribute to the name of Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji, it is also a tribute to his high life values."
"The administrative system that is working in the country and the state today, people like Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji have contributed a lot in laying its foundation," Singh said.
The defence minister also said while Gupta was the CM of a big state like Uttar Pradesh, his vision and agenda was never regional, always nationalistic.
"Chandra Bhanu ji was not in power for a very long (time). But in the short time he was in power, he gave priority to public welfare works. He was always known for his integrity."
Singh said while Gupta did not agree with the 'Kamaraj Plan' he resigned from the CM post due to it. "You can imagine how an elected leader had to step down from the post due to the dislike of some people," Singh said.
In 1963 K Kamaraj (former Chief Minister of Madras) suggested to Nehru that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work.
This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan', which was designed primarily to dispel the notion that Congressmen were attached to power, creating in its place a dedicated attachment to the objectives and policies of the organisation.
The plan was approved by the Congress Working Committee and was implemented within two months. Six chief ministers and six Union ministers resigned under the plan. Kamaraj was later elected president of the Indian National Congress on October 9, 1963.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
31 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Russia, US conducts military drills at Panama Canal, more
24:09 The case of Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse facing execution in Yemen on July 16th for murdering a Yemeni national in 2017, has reached a critical juncture. The Indian government informed the Supreme Court that despite diplomatic efforts, including recent talks with Yemeni authorities, no reprieve has been granted.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
14-Samdani-CM-FIber-Net-Revival
Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to take swift action to restore and revitalize the AP Fiber Net project. He charged that the previous government had completely derailed the AP Fiber Net project, a visionary initiative launched between 2014 and 2019. Reviewing the progress of AP Fibernet activities here on Monday, the chief minister asked the officials to assess the challenges, financial constraints, necessary corrective steps, and new policy directions. He said that the system, designed to benefit the public, students, and government departments, was exploited for political purposes by the previous govt. He pointed out that while there were 8.70 lakh connections before 2019, was dropped to 4.50 lakh during the YSRCP regime. "We managed the organization effectively with just 130 employees and provided over 8 lakh connections. But the YSRCP government created unauthorized posts to accommodate its party workers, expanding the workforce from 130 to 1,350 and misusing public funds. This was a new form of corruption where party affiliates were placed in government roles and used for political work. The fiber network was no exception. Those responsible must be held accountable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo A thorough investigation should be conducted into those appointments, and full transparency must be ensured," directed chief minister. He, however, said that steps must be taken to rectify past mistakes and ensure a better future. He instructed that the current 4,53,525 connections be increased to at least 8–10 lakh. The chief minister approved the integration of AP Fiber Net with the BharatNet (Amended BharatNet Programme – ABP). Under this scheme, the Centre will allocate Rs. 1,900 crore to AP Fiber Net from 2025 to 2035. He also approved the transition of fiber networks in 1692 gram panchayats across Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts from linear to ring architecture. Additionally, 480 new gram panchayats will be connected using the ring model. The Centre will provide Rs. 430 crore for this phase. GFX *A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), jointly managed by the Central and State Governments, to oversee these projects should be created: CM *The selection process for set-top box suppliers be completed immediately and that a revenue-sharing model be developed with Local Cable Operators (LCOs) using new set-top boxes: CM *Reintroduce services like virtual classrooms *Andhra Pradesh currently leads the nation in village panchayat connectivity. *Fiber net services have been extended to 12,946 panchayats so far. *The government aims to expand the network to a total of two lakh km. *Andhra Pradesh leads all Indian states in fiber optic network coverage with 78355km, followed by Maharashtra (50,481 km), Tamil Nadu (49,616 km), Gujarat (35,246 km), and Telangana (29,143 km).
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Flicker Of Hope: Indian Grand Mufti Steps In As Kerala Nurse Faces Gallows – Crucial Talks Underway IN Yemen's Sanaa
New Delhi/Sanaa: Urgent diplomatic and legal efforts are underway to stop the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing death sentenced in Yemen. Her execution is scheduled for July 16. The Supreme Court of India on July 14 heard a petition seeking intervention in the case, while parallel talks continue in Yemen between local authorities, tribal leaders and representatives from India. The petition was filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group campaigning to prevent her execution. During the Supreme Court hearing, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the bench that 'the Government of India is doing whatever is utmost possible' but highlighted that 'having regard to the sensitivity and status of Yemen as a place, there is nothing much the the government can do'. Meanwhile, negotiations are underway in Yemen's capital of Sanaa involving tribal leaders, judicial representatives and religious scholars. The talks are being attended by Habeeb Abdurahman Ali Mashhour, who is a representative of Shaikh Habeeb, along with a judge from the Jinayat court, representatives of the Yemeni government, tribal leaders and Talal's brother. The initiative was launched following a direct appeal by Indian Grand Mufti and All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama General Secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who requested the victim's family to pardon Priya without seeking blood money (diya). A statement issued from Kanthapuram's office expressed hope that the outcome of the discussions may be known soon. Originally from Palakkad district in Kerala, Priya was convicted in 2020 by a Yemeni court for the murder of her business partner, whom she allegedly drugged and killed in July 2017, with the assistance of another nurse. According to Yemeni court documents, she then dismembered his body and disposed of the parts in an underground water tank. Her final appeal was rejected in 2023, and she is currently held at the Central Prison in Sanaa. The Indian government continues to monitor the case, but its capacity to intervene directly remains limited, as India does not currently have an operational embassy in Yemen due to the ongoing civil conflict there. The Supreme Court case, diplomatic appeals and tribal negotiations in Yemen are all unfolding simultaneously in a bid to prevent her execution. The situation remains fluid and a final decision from either side is awaited.
