His Excellency President Hollande एवं उपस्थित मीडिया के सभी प्रतिनिधि,
आज यहां फ्रांस आकर मुझे बहुत खुशी हुई है। मैं राष्ट्रपति जी का और फ्रांस की जनता का मेरे स्वागत और सम्मान के लिए हार्दिक अभिनंदन करता हूं। यूरोप की मेरी यह पहली यात्रा है। लेकिन पहली यात्रा मैं फ्रांस से शुरू कर रहा हूं। यह इस बात का प्रतीक है कि भारत और फ्रांस के संबंध कितने गहरे हैं, कितने पुराने हैं, कितने महत्वपूर्ण हैं और भविष्य में इनका क्या महत्व है। फ्रांस भारत के सबसे घनिष्ठ मित्रों और विश्वसनीय Partners में से एक है। जैसा कि राष्ट्रपति जी ने बताया कि हम कई बातों में साझी परंपराओं को ले करके आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। अच्छे समय और चुनौती भरे समय में दोनों में फ्रांस भारत के साथ खड़ा रहा है। फ्रांस सदैव भारत के प्रति संवेदनशील रहा है और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मंच पर फ्रांस ने खुलेआम भारत का साथ दिया है और भारत का समर्थन किया है। हम दो बड़े लोकतंत्र देश हैं। हमारे मूल्य एक जैसे हैं हमारे हित कई मायने में एक दूसरे के साथ जुड़े हुए हैं, एक दूसरे के पूरक हैं। हमारे संबंध व्यापक हैं, जमीन से आसमान तक, सागर से अंतरिक्ष तक और अब साइबर क्षेत्र में भी हम सहयोग कर रहे हैं। आज ऐसा कोई क्षेत्र नहीं है जिसमें फ्रांस और भारत की साझेदारी न हो। आज मेरी और राष्ट्रपति ओलौन्द की बहुत अच्छी बातचीत हुई। हमारे रक्षा क्षेत्र के संबंध पुराने और गहन हैं। Defense Equipment और Technology में फ्रांस हमेशा एक भरोसेमंद Supplier रहा है। Fighter Jet से लेकर Submarines तक हमारे सहयोग उत्तम रहे हैं। भारत में Fighter Air Craft की Critical operational necessity को ध्यान में रखते हुए मैंने राष्ट्रपति जी से 36 Rafael Jets Flyaway Condition में जल्द से जल्द दोनों सरकारों के समझौतों के माध्यम से खरीदने की बात की है। हम दोनों ने निर्णय किया है कि भारत के लिए यह अलग प्रक्रिया में दिए गए that the terms and conditions would be modified for this purpose, साथ ही साथ राष्ट्रपति जी ने Defense क्षेत्र में Make In India का पूरा समर्थन किया है और Make In India सिर्फ Project नहीं बल्कि एक Ambition के रूप में आपने उसकी सराहना की है।
भारत और फ्रांस की कंपनियां मिलकर भारत में रक्षा उपकरण बनाएंगी और साथ ही साथ रक्षा तकनीकों का विकास भी करेंगी। इस संदर्भ में आज मेरी फ्रांस की डिफेंस कंपनियों से काफी विस्तार से बातें हुई हैं। आज हम भारत और फ्रांस की रक्षा साझेदारी को एक नए स्तर पर ले गए हैं। Nuclear Power के क्षेत्र में फ्रांस भारत के प्रमुख साझेदारों में से एक है। मुझे खुशी है कि जैतापुर में Six Nuclear plant बनाने पर हमने प्रगति की है। बिजली बनाने की कीमत को कम करने के संदर्भ में और अधिक तकनीकी क्षमता और Study करने के लिए दोनों पक्षों ने आज समझौता किया है। विशेषकर आज AREVA और L & T के बीच भारत में Forgings बनाने के लिए समझौता हुआ है और मैं मानता हूं कि यह समझौता बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण है। Make In India का यह उत्तम उदाहरण होगा और भारत को Advanced Technology के क्षेत्र में एक नई जगह मिलेगी।
International Export Control Regime में सदस्यता के लिए भारत फ्रांस के ठोस समर्थन के लिए बहुत आभारी है। अंतरिक्ष सहयोग में भारत और फ्रांस ने 50 वर्ष पूर्ण किए हैं। मुझे खुशी है कि आज राष्ट्रपति जी और मैंने भारत और फ्रांस का एक संयुक्त Postal Stamp जारी किया है। हमने साथ मिलकर Satellite के निर्माण और Launch में सहयोग को आगे बढ़ाने का निर्णय लिया है। भारत के मंगलयान मिशन के बाद हम अब मिल करके Planetary Exploration में भी सहयोग करेंगे। आज भारत में विश्व में सबसे तेज गति से आर्थिक वृद्धि हो रही है। भारत के विकास में फ्रांस बड़ा योगदान दे सकता है और उसका यहां पर भी आर्थिक लाभ होगा। आज सुबह मैं Infrastructure के क्षेत्र में फ्रांस की Industries से मिला था। राष्ट्रपति और मैं अभी CEO Forum से भी मिलें। मेरा विश्वास बढ़ा है कि फ्रांस की कंपनियां भारत में निवेश बढ़ाएंगी। भारत के Railway Infrastructure के नवीनीकरण में भी हम सहयोग करेंगे। मेरी सरकार की अन्य पहलें जैसे Skill Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Smart Cities, Digital India क्षेत्रों में हम फ्रांस के साथ मिलकर आगे बढ़ेंगे। Science and technology हमारे संबंधों का अहम स्तम्भ है। आज दो महत्वपूर्ण समझौते हुए हैं। मैं Ocean Economy का Sustainable विकास यानी कि Blue Revolution पर बहुत बल देता हूं। इस संदर्भ में आज Marine Biology के क्षेत्र में समझौते का विशेष स्वागत करता हूं। मुझे बहुत खुशी है कि फ्रांस हमारे साथ मिलकर Urban Heritage और Tourism Promotion में आगे बढ़ेगा। इस क्षेत्र में फ्रांस की क्षमता से सभी परिचित हैं। मुझे राष्ट्रपति जी को यह बताते हुए बहुत प्रसन्नता हुई कि फ्रांस के नागरिकों को Electronic Travel Authorization के माध्यम से आसानी से भारत आने की सुविधा दी जाएगी, जो संबंधों को तो बनाते हैं साथ ही Tourism के लिए भी सरलता पैदा करते हैं। आज हमने समझौता किया है कि दोनों देशों में पढ़ाई के बाद हमारे छात्र देश में और समय रहकर Professional Training कर सकते हैं। जिससे उनको रोजगार मिलने की क्षमता बढ़ेगी। आज विश्व में एक चुनौतीपूर्ण माहौल है। कई क्षेत्रों में उथल-पुथल हो रही है। जिससेसभी प्रभावित हैं। बदलती दुनिया में स्थिरता के बारे में कई अनिश्चित प्रश्न हैं।
समुद्री, साइबर और अंतरिक्ष सुरक्षा सभी के लिए चिंता का कारण है। आतंक फैल रहा है और नए-नए स्वरूप ले रहा है। विश्व के अनेक क्षेत्रों और शहरों में इस चुनौती का सामना किया जा रहा है। चाहे पेरिस हो या मुंबई, भारत और फ्रांस ने एक-दूसरे के दर्द को सहा है और समझा है। इस वैश्विक चुनौती के लिए व्यापक वैश्विक Strategy की आवश्यकता है। इसमें हर देश का यह दायित्व है कि आतंक के विरोध लड़ाई में पूरा समर्थन दें और आतंक समूहों को पनाह लेने न दें और आतंकवादियों को जल्द से जल्द सजा दें। भारत और फ्रांस इन चुनौतियों को कई मायने में एक तरह से देखते हैं और इस कारण हम अपने सुरक्षा सहयोग को और घनिष्ठ करेंगे। इस संदर्भ में हम Indian Ocean के बारे में विचारों का आदान-प्रदान करेंगे। UN Security Council के Reforms हम दोनों का संयुक्त दायित्व है। भारत की Security Council की Permanent Membership के लिए समर्थन के लिए मैं फ्रांस का बहुत आभारी हूं| मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि इस वर्ष के अंत में पेरिस में होने वाले Cop-21 सम्मेलन में फ्रांस के नेतृत्व में विश्व के लिए एक नया Roadmap बनेगा। भारत और फ्रांस मिलकर Climate Change और ऊर्जा के विषयों पर अपना सहयोग आगे बढ़ाएंगे। अंत में, मैं फिर से राष्ट्रपति जी को धन्यवाद देता हूं | मुझे विश्वास है कि हमारी Strategic Partnership आज एक नई ऊंचाई पर पहुंची है जो दोनों देशों के नागरिकों के भविष्य को उज्ज्वल करने में और विश्व में शांति, सुरक्षा और समृद्धि को साकार करने में योगदान देगी।
My dear countrymen, Namaskar. 'Mann Ki Baat' means touching upon the collective efforts of the country; referring to the achievements of the country; discussing the strength of the people. 'Mann Ki Baat' means touching upon the dreams of the youth, the aspirations of the citizens of the country. I wait for 'Mann Ki Baat' throughout the month, so that I can communicate with you directly. There are innumerable messages! My earnest endeavour is to read as many messages as possible; to brainstorm on your suggestions.
Friends, today is a very special day - it is NCC Day. As soon as the name of NCC comes up, we remember our school-college days. I myself have been an NCC Cadet, so I can say with full confidence that the experience gained from it is invaluable for me. 'NCC' instills a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth. You must have seen around you that whenever there is a disaster; be it a flood, an earthquake or an accident, NCC cadets unfailingly make themselves available there to help. Today, efforts are being undertaken continuously to strengthen NCC in the country. In 2014, about 14 lakh youth were associated with NCC. Now in 2024, more than 20 lakh youth are associated with NCC.
Compared to earlier times, provision for NCC has been made in five thousand new schools and colleges… and the biggest aspect is that earlier the number of girl cadets in NCC was just around 25% (percent). Now the number of girl cadets in NCC has risen to almost 40% (percent). The campaign to connect more and more youth residing along the border with NCC is also going on continuously. I would urge the youth to join NCC in maximum numbers. You will notice that no matter what career you choose, NCC will help you a lot in personality development. Friends, the role of the youth in building a developed India is very significant. When young minds come together and deliberate upon the country's future journey, positively, concrete paths emerge. You know that on the 12th of January, on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the country celebrates 'Youth Day'. Next year is Swami Vivekananda's 162nd birth anniversary. This time it will be celebrated in a very special way. On this occasion, a Maha Kumbh of young minds is going to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on 11-12 January, and the name of this initiative is 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. Crores of youth from all over India will participate in it. 2 thousand such youth selected from villages, blocks, districts, states will gather at Bharat Mandapam for the 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. You might remember that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I have urged such youths to join politics, none of whose family members or even the entire family have had a political background.
To connect 1 lakh such youths, new youths, to politics, many special campaigns will be run in the country. 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue' is also one such effort. Experts from the country and abroad will grace this. Many national and international personalities would also be there. I will also be present in it for as much time as possible. The youth will get an opportunity to present their ideas directly before us. How can the country take these ideas forward? How can a solid roadmap be made? A blueprint will be prepared for this. So you too get ready; this is a great opportunity for those who are going to build the future of India, who are the future generation of the country. Come, let us build the country together, make the country developed.
My dear countrymen, in Mann ki Baat, we often talk about such youth. There are many youths who are working selflessly for the society and are engaged in finding solutions to numerous minor problems of the people. If we look around us, we see so many people who need some kind of help or information. I am happy to know that some youths have formed groups and addressed such issues as well. For example, Virendra, who lives in Lucknow, helps the elderly in the matter of Digital Life Certificate. As you know as per rules, all pensioners have to submit Life Certificate once a year. Till 2014, the process was such that the elderly had to go to the banks and submit it themselves. You can imagine how much inconvenience it used to cause to our elderly. Now this system has changed.
Now, by enabling the Digital Life Certificate, things have become very simple; the elderly do not have to go to the bank. Youths like Virendra have a major role in ensuring that the elderly do not face any problem on account of technology. They keep making the elderly of their neighbourhood aware about it. Not just that, they are also making the elderly tech savvy. Today, with such efforts, the number of people receiving Digital Life certificates has crossed the 80 lakh mark. Among these, more than 2 lakh are such elderly people whose age has crossed even 80.
Friends, in many cities, the youth are also coming forward to make the elderly a part of the digital revolution. Mahesh from Bhopal has taught many elderly people of his locality to make payments through mobile. These elderly people had smart phones, but there was no one to tell them their correct usage. The youth have also come forward to save the elderly from the risk of Digital Arrest. Rajiv from Ahmedabad warns people about the risk of Digital Arrest. I had discussed Digital Arrest in the last episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'. The elderly are the most common victims of such crimes. In such a situation, it is our responsibility to make them aware and help them stay safe from cyber fraud. We have to explain to people again and again that there is no provision of digital arrest in the government; this is a blatant lie, a conspiracy to trap people. I am happy that our young friends are participating in this work with full sensitivity and are motivating others as well.
My dear countrymen, these days many experiments are being conducted for the education of children. The effort is to enhance the creativity of our children and their love for books. It is said that 'books' are humans’ best friend and what better place than the library to strengthen this friendship. I want to share one such example from Chennai with you. Here one such library has been set up for children, which has become a hub of creativity and learning. It is known as Prakrith Arivagam. The idea of this library is the brainchild of Shriram Gopalan ji, who is associated with the world of technology. During his work abroad, he remained connected with the world of latest technology. But, he also kept thinking about developing the habit of reading and learning in children. After returning to India, he established Prakrith Arivagam. It has more than three thousand books, which children eagerly wait to read. Apart from books, different types of activities being organized in this library also attract children. Be it Story Telling sessions, Art Workshops, Memory Training Classes, Robotics Lessons or Public Speaking, there is something or the other, to the liking of everyone.
Friends, The Food for Thought Foundation has also established many wonderful libraries in Hyderabad. It’s their endeavor as well, to ensure that children get books to read with solid information on as many topics as possible. The Prayog library of Gopalganj in Bihar has started being talked about in many cities in the neighbourhood. Apart from youths of around 12 villages getting the facility to read books from this library, this library is also providing other important facilities to the people. Some libraries are such that they are very useful for students in preparing for competitive examinations. It is indeed very heartening to note that the library is being used in the best possible way to strengthen the society. You too should develop friendship with books and see how it brings a change in your life.
My dear countrymen, I have returned from Guyana, a country in South America, the night before yesterday. Thousands of kilometres away from India, a ‘Mini India’ dwells in Guyana too. Around 180 years ago, people from India were taken to Guyana to work in the fields and for other tasks. Today, people of Indian origin in Guyana are leading the country in every field… be it politics, business, education or culture. The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfan Ali, is also of Indian origin and is proud of his Indian heritage. When I was in Guyana, a thought struck my mind which I am sharing with you in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Just like Guyana, there are lakhs of Indians in dozens of countries across the world. Their ancestors have their own stories of decades; even those over 200-300 years ago. Can you be on the lookout for such stories of how Indian immigrants made their mark in different countries! How they took part in their freedom struggle! How they kept their Indian heritage alive! I want you to find out such true stories, and share them with me. You can also share these stories on the NaMo App or on MyGov with #IndianDiasporaStories.
Friends, you will also find an extraordinary project going on in Oman very interesting. Numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries. Most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat. These people had created important trade links. Even today they have Omani citizenship, but Indianness is ingrained in their personae. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has started the work of preserving the history of these families. Thousands of documents have been collected under this campaign so far. These include diaries, account books, ledgers, letters and telegrams. Some of these documents even date back to the year 1838. These documents are full of sentiments. When they reached Oman years ago, what kind of life they lived, what kind of joys and sorrows they faced, and, how their relations with the people of Oman progressed. All of this is a part of these documents. The ‘Oral History Project’ is also an important basis of this mission. In this mission, senior people from there have shared their experiences. People have expressed in detail about their lifestyle there.
Friends, a similar ‘Oral History Project’ is being carried out in India as well. Under this project, history enthusiasts are collating the experiences of the victims during the period of partition of the country. Now, there are very few people left in the country who have witnessed the horrors of Partition. In such a situation, this effort has become even more significant.
Friends, the country, the place that preserves it’s history, its future is also secure. With this very thought in mind, an effort has been made in which a directory has been created to preserve the history of villages. A campaign is also going on in the country to preserve evidences related to India's ancient maritime capability. Under this series, a very big museum is also being built in Lothal. Apart from that, if you are aware of any manuscript, any historical document, any handwritten copy, you can preserve it with the help of National Archives of India.
Friends, I have come to know about another such effort being undertaken in Slovakia which is related to conserving and promoting our culture. Here, for the first time, our Upanishads have been translated into the Slovak language. These efforts also underscore the global influence of Indian culture. It is a matter of pride for all of us that there are crores of people across the world who cherish India in their hearts.
My dear countrymen, I now want to share with you one such achievement of the country which will make you happy and proud, and if you have not done it, you will probably regret it. A few months ago, we started the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. People from all over the country participated in this campaign with great enthusiasm. I am very happy to tell you that this campaign has crossed the important milestone of planting 100 crore trees. A 100 crore trees, that too, in just 5 months.
This has been possible only due to the tireless efforts of our countrymen. You will be proud to know one more fact related to this. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign is now spreading to other countries of the world as well. When I was in Guyana, I witnessed this campaign there as well. There, Guyana's President Dr. Irfan Ali, his mother in law, and other family members joined me in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.
Friends, this campaign is going on continuously in different parts of the country. A record of tree planting was made in Indore, Madhya Pradesh under the campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' - more than 12 lakh trees were planted here in 24 hours. On account of this campaign, the barren area of Revati Hills of Indore will now turn into a green zone. A unique record was made through this campaign in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan - here a team of women planted 25 thousand trees in one hour. Mothers planted trees in the name of their mothers and inspired others too. Here, more than 5 thousand people planted trees at one location.
This too is a record in itself. Under the campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', many social organizations are planting trees according to local needs. Their effort is that wherever trees are planted, a complete eco system should develop in an environment friendly manner. Therefore, these organizations are planting medicinal plants at some places, and at other places, they are planting trees to facilitate nesting for birds. In Bihar, the women of 'Jeevika Self Help Group' are running a campaign to plant 75 lakh trees. The focus of these women is on fruit trees, so that income could also be generated in the future.
Friends, by joining this campaign, any person can plant a tree in the name of his mother. If the mother is with you, you can plant the tree along with her, otherwise you can become a part of this campaign by carrying her photograph with you. You can also post a selfie with the tree on mygov.in. We can never repay the debt of what our mother does for all of us, but by planting a tree in her name, we can keep her presence alive forever.
My dear countrymen, all of you must have seen sparrows chirping on roof tops or trees during your childhood. Sparrows are known as Kuruvi in Tamil and Malayalam, Pichhuka in Telugu and Gubbi in Kannada. Stories about sparrows are told in every language and culture. Sparrows play a very important role in maintaining bio-diversity around us, but today sparrows are hardly visible in cities. Due to increasing urbanization, sparrows have gone away from us. There are many children of today's generation who have seen sparrows only in pictures or videos. Some unique efforts are being made to bring back this lovely bird in the lives of such children. Chennai's Kudugal Trust has involved school children in its campaign to increase the sparrow population. The people of the organisation go to schools and tell the children how important sparrows are in everyday life. This organisation trains children to make sparrow nests. For this, the people of the organisation taught the children to make a small wooden house. In that, arrangements for food and shelter were made for the sparrows. These are homes that can be placed on the outer wall of any building or on a tree.
Children participated in this campaign with enthusiasm and started making nests for sparrows in large numbers. In the last 4 years, the organization has prepared ten thousand such nests for sparrows. With this initiative of the Kudugal Trust, the sparrow population has started rising in the surrounding areas. If you too make such efforts in your surroundings, sparrows will certainly again become a part of our lives. Friends, an organization in Mysuru, Karnataka has started a campaign called 'Early Bird' for children. This organization runs a special kind of library to tell children about birds. Not only this, it has prepared a 'Nature Education Kit' to create a sense of responsibility towards nature in children. This kit contains story books, games, activity sheets and jig-saw puzzles for children. This organization takes children from cities to villages and introduces them to birds. On account of the efforts of this organization, children have started recognizing many species of birds. The listeners of 'Mann Ki Baat' can also develop a different perspective in children to see and understand their surroundings through such efforts.
My dear countrymen, you must have noticed that as soon as someone mentions a 'government office', a picture of a pile of files emerges in your mind. You must have seen something similar in films too. So many jokes are made on these piles of files in government offices; so many stories have been written. These files used to gather dust after lying in offices for years and years, and would start accumulating dirt.
A special Swachhata Abhiyan was launched to remove such decades-old files and scrap. You will be happy to know that this campaign has brought amazing results in government departments. Cleanliness has freed up a lot of space in offices. This has also brought in a sense of ownership among the people working in the offices. They have also become serious about keeping their work place clean.
Friends, you must have often heard elders say that where there is cleanliness, Goddess Lakshmi resides there. The concept of 'waste to wealth' is very old in our country. In many parts of the country, the 'youth' are transforming items considered useless, that is waste, to wealth. They are innovating in different ways. They are earning money from that; generating avenues of employment. These youth are also promoting a sustainable lifestyle through their efforts. The effort of two daughters of Mumbai is really very inspiring. These two daughters named Akshara and Prakriti are creating fashion items through fabric scraps. You also know that the scraps that come out during cutting and stitching of clothes are considered useless and thrown away. Akshara and Prakriti's team transforms the same fabric scraps into fashion products. Caps and bags made from cuttings are literally flying off the shelves.
Friends, a good initiative is on in Kanpur, UP as well, pertaining to cleanliness. Here some people go for daily morning walks picking up plastic and other garbage spread on the banks of the Ganga. This group has been named the 'Kanpur Ploggers Group'.
This campaign was started by a few friends collectively. Gradually, it became a big campaign of public participation. Many people of the city have joined this campaign. Its members have now started collecting garbage from shops and houses as well. Tree guards are made from this garbage in the Recycle Plant, i.e., people of this group also protect the plants with tree guards made from garbage.
Friends, Iitisha from Assam too is an example of how tiny efforts can lead to big success. Iitisha has studied in Delhi and Pune. Iitisha has left the glitz and glamour of the corporate world and is engaged in cleaning the Sangti Valley of Arunachal. A lot of plastic waste had started accumulating there because of tourists. The river there, which was once pristine, had become polluted because of the plastic waste. Iitisha is working with the local people to clean it. People of her group spread awareness among the tourists there and put up bamboo dustbins all over the valley to collect plastic waste.
Friends, such efforts lend momentum to India's Swachhata Abhiyan. This is a perpetual campaign. This must certainly be happening around you as well. Do keep writing to me about such efforts.
Friends, that is all for this episode of Mann Ki Baat. I eagerly await your feedback, letters and suggestions throughout the month. Your messages every month inspire me to do even better. We will meet again next month in another episode of Mann Ki Baat with new achievements of the country and countrymen. Until then, my best wishes to all the countrymen. Thank you very much.
On 12th January next year, we will mark Swami Vivekananda's 162nd Jayanti. This time it will be celebrated in a very special way. #MannKiBaatpic.twitter.com/TbumRi0Ta6
Let's celebrate the inspiring stories of Indian diaspora who made their mark globally, contributed to freedom struggles and preserved our heritage. Share such stories on the NaMo App or MyGov using #IndianDiasporaStories.#MannKiBaatpic.twitter.com/SHUXii9ln6
Numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries. Most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat.
With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has started the work of preserving the history of these… pic.twitter.com/EoaXuCVe2h
A few months ago, we started the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. People from all over the country participated in this campaign with great enthusiasm.
Now this initiative is reaching other countries of the world as well. During my recent visit to Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali,… pic.twitter.com/g47I055ASN
भारत और फ्रांस की कंपनियां मिलकर भारत में रक्षा उपकरण बनाएंगी और साथ ही साथ रक्षा तकनीकों का विकास भी करेंगी। इस संदर्भ में आज मेरी फ्रांस की डिफेंस कंपनियों से काफी विस्तार से बातें हुई हैं। आज हम भारत और फ्रांस की रक्षा साझेदारी को एक नए स्तर पर ले गए हैं। Nuclear Power के क्षेत्र में फ्रांस भारत के प्रमुख साझेदारों में से एक है। मुझे खुशी है कि जैतापुर में Six Nuclear plant बनाने पर हमने प्रगति की है। बिजली बनाने की कीमत को कम करने के संदर्भ में और अधिक तकनीकी क्षमता और Study करने के लिए दोनों पक्षों ने आज समझौता किया है। विशेषकर आज AREVA और L & T के बीच भारत में Forgings बनाने के लिए समझौता हुआ है और मैं मानता हूं कि यह समझौता बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण है। Make In India का यह उत्तम उदाहरण होगा और भारत को Advanced Technology के क्षेत्र में एक नई जगह मिलेगी।
International Export Control Regime में सदस्यता के लिए भारत फ्रांस के ठोस समर्थन के लिए बहुत आभारी है। अंतरिक्ष सहयोग में भारत और फ्रांस ने 50 वर्ष पूर्ण किए हैं। मुझे खुशी है कि आज राष्ट्रपति जी और मैंने भारत और फ्रांस का एक संयुक्त Postal Stamp जारी किया है। हमने साथ मिलकर Satellite के निर्माण और Launch में सहयोग को आगे बढ़ाने का निर्णय लिया है। भारत के मंगलयान मिशन के बाद हम अब मिल करके Planetary Exploration में भी सहयोग करेंगे। आज भारत में विश्व में सबसे तेज गति से आर्थिक वृद्धि हो रही है। भारत के विकास में फ्रांस बड़ा योगदान दे सकता है और उसका यहां पर भी आर्थिक लाभ होगा। आज सुबह मैं Infrastructure के क्षेत्र में फ्रांस की Industries से मिला था। राष्ट्रपति और मैं अभी CEO Forum से भी मिलें। मेरा विश्वास बढ़ा है कि फ्रांस की कंपनियां भारत में निवेश बढ़ाएंगी। भारत के Railway Infrastructure के नवीनीकरण में भी हम सहयोग करेंगे। मेरी सरकार की अन्य पहलें जैसे Skill Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Smart Cities, Digital India क्षेत्रों में हम फ्रांस के साथ मिलकर आगे बढ़ेंगे। Science and technology हमारे संबंधों का अहम स्तम्भ है। आज दो महत्वपूर्ण समझौते हुए हैं। मैं Ocean Economy का Sustainable विकास यानी कि Blue Revolution पर बहुत बल देता हूं। इस संदर्भ में आज Marine Biology के क्षेत्र में समझौते का विशेष स्वागत करता हूं। मुझे बहुत खुशी है कि फ्रांस हमारे साथ मिलकर Urban Heritage और Tourism Promotion में आगे बढ़ेगा। इस क्षेत्र में फ्रांस की क्षमता से सभी परिचित हैं। मुझे राष्ट्रपति जी को यह बताते हुए बहुत प्रसन्नता हुई कि फ्रांस के नागरिकों को Electronic Travel Authorization के माध्यम से आसानी से भारत आने की सुविधा दी जाएगी, जो संबंधों को तो बनाते हैं साथ ही Tourism के लिए भी सरलता पैदा करते हैं। आज हमने समझौता किया है कि दोनों देशों में पढ़ाई के बाद हमारे छात्र देश में और समय रहकर Professional Training कर सकते हैं। जिससे उनको रोजगार मिलने की क्षमता बढ़ेगी। आज विश्व में एक चुनौतीपूर्ण माहौल है। कई क्षेत्रों में उथल-पुथल हो रही है। जिससेसभी प्रभावित हैं। बदलती दुनिया में स्थिरता के बारे में कई अनिश्चित प्रश्न हैं।
