IndiaPosted at: Sep 18 2026 5:14PM


India turning challenges into opportunities on path to Viksit Bharat: Rajnath

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) India is steadily advancing towards becoming a developed and self-reliant nation by drawing strength from its civilisational values of courage, determination, compassion, service and inclusive prosperity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.
Addressing an event in Kochi, Singh said the government was focusing on fostering resilience, innovation, national strength, inclusive development and a strong sense of national identity among citizens to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
He said the country's development journey over the past 12 years had been shaped by its ability to confront adversity with confidence and turn challenges into opportunities.
"Over the last 12 years, the world has faced a pandemic such as COVID-19 and witnessed several wars, which have had a profound impact on the global economy. Despite global challenges, we are moving steadily on the path towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation," he said.
The Defence Minister also recalled the challenges India faced before 2014, including corruption and misgovernance, which he said had weakened the morale of the people.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, he said, the country was pursuing development while strengthening its national capabilities.
On national security, Singh said the government remained committed to protecting citizens from forces threatening the country's sovereignty and integrity.
He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India's resolve, saying the operation demonstrated the country's willingness to cross the border to eliminate those who threaten its security. He also said Naxalism had been brought to an end.
The Defence Minister described the country's youth as its "greatest strength", pointing to their role in building start-ups and unicorns and developing technologies ranging from drones and hydrogen trains to rockets and satellites.
"Our youth are building start-ups, creating unicorns, developing drones, building hydrogen trains, and making rockets and satellites. They are leaving no stone unturned to make India a developed nation," he said.
The Defence Minister said India's development could not be measured only in terms of economic growth, but also involved strengthening national confidence and moving beyond what he described as a colonial mindset.
Singh urged the youth to contribute to India's economic, social and technological transformation, saying a confident, capable and socially inclusive India could emerge as a developed nation and play a greater role in shaping the future of the world. UNI PWS SAS
Tags: #India turning challenges into opportunities on path to Viksit Bharat: Rajnath
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