Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the government will provide full support to the private sector to make India an innovation and technology hub in the defence sector.
Launching the ‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ initiative at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) event in the national capital to encourage the next generation of innovators and startups to come forward with transformative ideas for defence applications, the minister said technology has transformed conventional warfare into unconventional warfare.
"New dimensions have been added to modern-day warfare such as drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons and space defence. In this transformative phase, R&D in defence will definitely make the defence sector stronger," the minister told scientists, industry leaders, academia, startups, MSMEs, and young entrepreneurs at the event.
Rajnath Singh further stated that it is time for the private sector to take the lead as it has the ability to absorb rapid changes and create new innovations, adding that the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will continue providing all necessary support to the youth, scientists, industrialists and MSMEs in this endeavour.
"The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is providing up to 90 per cent of the total project cost as grant support to eligible industries. The total support is up to Rs 50 crore, a good amount for any MSME and start-up to invest in defence R&D," the Union Minister said.
Since its launch six years ago, 79 projects have been sanctioned, of which, technology has successfully been developed in 18 projects.
The minister also felicitated the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0’, recognising individual innovators, start-ups and MSMEs for creating disruptive solutions and innovations. “Like our brave soldiers, scientists, industry leaders, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and entrepreneurs too are the warriors of the country, prepared to complete every assigned task,” said the Defence Minister.
Normal train services restored after derailment of Agartala-Mumbai train in Assam
After the derailment of six coaches, engine and the power car of Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express on Thursday at Dibalong in Assam, the normal train services were restored on Friday in the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section, officials said.
Bangladesh slashes egg import duties, from 25 to 5 percent
The egg import duty cut would reduce import costs of eggs by 13.8 takas per dozen, making the country's cheapest source of protein affordable for the commoners, the NBR said in a statement after issuing an order in this regard.
Haryana Cabinet decides to implement apex court decision on SC/ST sub-categorisation immediately
The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, in its first meeting on Friday, decided to formally accept the Supreme Court's decision regarding the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe reservations and implement it immediately.
PM Modi to visit Russia for first Summit of expanded BRICS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on October 22-23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit and will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the group's members and other invitees, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday.
Bullet-riddled body of Bihar native recovered in J&K’s Shopian
Non-local skilled and semi-skilled labourers including masons, carpenters, paddy harvesters and others engaged in different labour-intensive occupations have been attacked by the terrorists in Kashmir Valley in the past.
ED raids MUDA office in land scam case involving Siddaramaiah
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths conducted raids at the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office on Friday in connection with the MUDA scam.
Supreme Court commences live streaming of all court proceedings
In a measure to enhance transparency and accessibility of judicial hearings to the common citizen of the country, the Supreme Court has commenced live streaming of all court proceedings on its official website.
INDIA bloc, a coalition of opportunists: UP BJP president
BJP's Uttar Pradesh President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary on Friday dubbed the INDIA bloc as a 'coalition of opportunists' and accused them of instigating chaos and disturbance in the state.