Karzok/Leh: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting; Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur on Wednesday said the people of Ladakh need not worry about external influences as the government has taken appropriate measures to safeguard the borders.
He said the present government is working hard to make India a stronger and better nation.
“The stronger forces are backed by the stronger government and under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is one of the most powerful countries in the world,” Thakur said during an interaction with Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Karzok village of Ladakh some 211 kilometers from Leh.
The Minister is on a two day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh, an official spokesman said.
Praising the courage of forces performing their duties at a height of 15000 feet, braving the challenges of nature, the minister said that it is the perseveranceof such soldiers that help
maintain the secure borders of the country.
“It is the responsibility of one and every citizen to work for the bettement of the country in their respective roles,” he said.
Elaborating on defence equipment manufacturing, the minister said that earlier the country solely relied on imports but with the initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat, more than 400 items in defence sector are manufactured indegenoulsy and the previous year saw manufacturing of defence equipment worth 1 lakh crore rupees and export of 16 thousand crore rupees which in itself is a great achievement.
“Use of latest technologies in defence equipment manufacturing has invited the attention of foreign companies to join hands with the Indian companies,” he said
He further said that the government is working hard to strengthen all the three wings of the defence system of India.
Addressing a public gathering in Karzok village, the Minister said that the development of the Union Territory of Ladakh is a priority, and the union government is working hard to usher in a new era of prosperity in the region.
The Minister assured the local people that their demands of digital connectivity, road connectivity, enhancing tourism infrastructure, improving Jal Jeewan Mission and sports infrastructure will be addressed on a priority basis.
He expressed happiness and thanked the Prime Minister for the successful implementation of
various initiatives of the government in the bordering area under vibrant village program.
The minister maintained that people’s faith in the constitution, objectives, and leadership has strengthened even in remote areas like Ladakh, and the central government is also working
hard to solve the problems of people here.
The minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen for the faster development of Ladakh and eagerly sends union ministers here to assess the situation at the ground level so that the problems faced by the local people are addressed in an efficient manner.
Elaborating on the developmental initiatives undertaken by the union government, the minister said that the Modi government has implemented many programmes and schemes across the country to improve the standard of living. In Ladakh also, the scenario has changed; people associated with agriculture have become more profitable, trade and industry have increased, employment opportunities have increased in various fields, and good education and health services are being provided even in the remotest areas.
Thakur emphasised that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India’s reputation has increased in the world and in the country.
Citing the Prime Minister’s words that the border villages are not the last villages but the first villages where all facilities should reach the minister maintained that the people of Ladakh also need not worry about external influences since the government has taken appropriate measures to safeguard the borders.
There is a border row in eastern Ladakh between India and China over the last three years. A brutal clash took place between the two armies in mid 2020 at Galwan Valley which resulted in the death of 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers.
UNI
