'India growing despite global distractions': PM Modi

PM Modi inaugurates UPITS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. During his address at the UPITS, PM Modi stressed that despite global distractions, India's growth remains attractive. 

PM Modi, in his address, stressed on the importance of ‘Make in India’ initiative. He said, "Despite the global disruptions and uncertainties, India's growth is attractive. Disruptions don't hinder us, but even in those circumstances, we look for new directions. Amid all these disruptions, India is strengthening the foundations for the coming decades. Our resolve and mantra is Atmanirbhar Bharat. Nothing can be more helpless than being dependent on others. The more a country stays dependent on others, the more its growth is going to be compromised."

Government's support for small-scale entrepreneurs

Further highlighting the government's support for small-scale entrepreneurs, PM Modi said that there are as many as 25 lakh sellers providing supplies to the government through the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal. He said, “These are small shopkeepers and traders who can sell their products to the government… In earlier governments, this was impossible to even consider, but today even a small shopkeeper is selling their goods through this portal… India is moving forward to achieve its goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047'.”

PM Modi on 'swadeshi'

Further talking about the defence forces said that our armed forces want swadeshi. He continued to add, "Our defence forces want 'swadeshi', they want to decrease the dependence on other countries. We are developing a vibrant defence sector in India. We are building such an ecosystem where every part of our weapons has 'Made in India' inscribed on them. Uttar Pradesh is playing a big role in this. Soon, production of the AK-203 rifle will begin from a factory set up with Russia's help. A defence corridor is also being set up in Uttar Pradesh. Production of several weapons, including BrahMos missiles, has already started."