The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during an official function at the Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium in Chennai, handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Indian Army, on Sunday. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key projects in Tamil Nadu at the ceremony attended by TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit, CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam with other dignitaries.
Chief of Army General M.M Naravane received the model of the Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark-1A, designed and manufactured by the state based unit of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“The focus on making India Aatma nirbhar (self-reliant) in the defence sector will keep moving with full speed”, Modi said. Our armed forces signify India’s ethos of courage.They have shown time and again that they are fully capable of protecting our Motherland. Time and again they have also shown India believes in peace. However, India will protect our sovereignty at all costs. He added.
Prime Minister asserted that the Government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. The resources provided by this Government for Tamils have been much more than in the past. “The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up by us consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice peace and dignity” Modi said.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu, Railway Electrification of single line section in Villupuram – Cuddalore – Mayiladuthurai – Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur. Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernisation of the Grand Anicut Canal System and Discovery Campus of IIT Madras.
