Speaking about his five-nation tour, Modi said various agreements signed during this tour on critical sectors such as defence, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy and rare earth minerals would create far-reaching benefits. These would benefit Indian youth in the country and also abroad.
“These initiatives will not only strengthen India’s global economic standing but also generate meaningful opportunities for young Indians in both manufacturing and services,” he added.
Highlighting the ‘Employment Linked Incentive Scheme’, he said under this scheme, the government would provide Rs 15,000 to young individuals who get their first job in the private sector. “In other words, the government will contribute to the first salary of their first job. For this, the government has allocated a budget of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore. This scheme is expected to help in the creation of about 3.5 crore new jobs,” he said.
Citing an International Labour Organisation report, Modi said over 90 crore people were covered under the ambit of welfare schemes in the last decade. Through the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme alone, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created across the country.
“Today, electronics manufacturing in India is worth nearly Rs 11 lakh crore, marking more than a fivefold increase over the past 11 years. Earlier, there were only 2 to 4 units manufacturing mobile phones in the country. Today, India is home to nearly 300 units related to mobile phone manufacturing, employing lakhs of young people,” Modi said.
Defence manufacturing is being discussed proudly after Operation Sindoor, he said in an apparent reference to the display of India’s indigenous military capability during the conflict with Pakistan.
The worth of defence production has gone beyond Rs 1.25 lakh crore, he said, adding that India is now on its way to becoming the third-largest economy.
Meanwhile, Modi lauded the inclusion of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.He urged citizens to visit these forts to learn about the rich history of the Maratha Empire.
He further said that every Indian was elated with this recognition. “These ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and 1 is in Tamil Nadu. When we speak of the glorious Maratha Empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural pride and emphasis on social welfare. The great rulers inspire us with their refusal to bow to any injustice. I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha Empire,” Modi said.