PM hands over Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army

New Delhi, Feb 14 (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key projects and handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army, at Chennai today.

Speaking at the occasion, the Prime Minister said “These projects are symbols of Innovation and Indigenous development. These projects will further the growth of Tamil Nadu.”  He said Thanjavur and Pudukkottai will be specially benefitted as the foundation to modernise the six hundred and thirty six kilometres long Grand Anicut Canal System was laid today. The impact of this is going to be very big. It will improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres of land.

Modi lauded the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources. He said that “the Grand Anicut is a living testimony to our glorious past. It is also an inspiration to our Nation’s, “Aatmnirbhar Bharat” goals.” Quoting Tamil poet Avvaiyar, the Prime Minister stressed the need to conserve water as it is not just national issue but a global subject. He emphasized the need to remember mantra of Per Drop More Crop,

Speaking about the nine kilometre stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase One, that was inaugurated today, the Modi said that the project has been completed on schedule despite the pandemic. The project is in line with the boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat as the rolling stock has been procured locally and civil construction activities were done by Indian Contractors.

The Prime Minister paid homage to the Pulwama attack martyrs on the anniversary of the attack today. He said “We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. Their bravery will continue to inspire generations.”

The Prime Minister said, India has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the Defence sector. He said this is inspired by what Maha kavi Subramaniya Bharathi Writing in the oldest language in the world, Tamil, said, “Let us make weapons; let us make paper. Let us make factories; let us make schools. Let us make vehicles that can move and fly. Let us make ships that can shake the world.”

Modi said that One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The corridor has already received investment commitments over Rupees Eight thousand one hundred crores.

The Prime Minister noted that Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India. Now, The Prime Minister saw Tamil Nadu evolving as the Tank manufacturing hub of India. On MBT Arjun Mark 1A, the Prime Minister declared, “I am proud to handover the indigenously designed and manufactured “Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A”. It also uses indigenous ammunition. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit – Bharat’s Ekta Darshan”