PM in Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to his home state Gujarat, inaugurated of Semicon India 2023 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar today (July 28). According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the theme of the Conference is ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’. It aims to bring together global leaders from industry, academia and research institutions.
It showcases India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology development. SemiconIndia 2023 will witness the participation of representatives of major companies such as Micron Technology, Applied Materials, Foxconn, SEMI, Cadence, AMD, among others.
'India never disappoints anyone'
Addressing the gathering at the event, PM Modi said, "The relations with industry, experts and policymakers get updated through Semicon India. I believe that this is crucial for the synchronisation of our relations."
PM Modi said that earlier peopel used to ask 'why to invest in the semiconductor industry in India' but now the question has changed to 'why not invest there. "Last year, we all participated in the first edition of SemiconIndia. At that time it was being discussed - why invest in the semiconductor sector in India? When we are meeting now, a year later, the question has changed. Now it is being said - why not invest? It is not only the question that has changed but also the direction of the wind. This change has been brought about by you and your efforts...You have connected your future to India's aspirations. You have connected your dreams with India's capability and India never disappoints anyone," he said.
He further said that within two years, the electronics export from India has increased by more than twice while the export of mobile phones manufactured in India has also increased by twice. The Prime Minister said, "In India of the 21st century, there is immense opportunity for you. India's democracy, India's demography and dividend from India can double, triple your business."
PM urges people to visit exhibition
PM Modi urged people, especially, youth to visit the exhibition to understand this new technology. "I just saw the exhibition. There is so much progress in this sector here. I request the youth of Gujarat to visit the exhibition and get to understand about this new technology (of semiconductors)," said PM Modi at Semicon India 2023 event.
"India's growing neo-middle class is the powerhouse of the country's aspirations. We need to build chip-making ecosystem in the country, and I am confident that whosoever works on this will quickly will get the 'first mover advantage'," said PM Modi.
India's electronics production crossed 100 Billion Dollars
PM Modi said, "We are seeing exponential growth in India's digital sector and electronic manufacturing. A few years back India was a rising player in this sector and today, our share in global electronics manufacturing has increased several times. In 2014, India's electronics production was worth less than 30 Billion Dollars. Today, it has crossed 100 Billion Dollars. In just two years, India's electronics export has doubled. The export of mobile phones manufactured in India has doubled. The country which once was an importer of mobile phones is now manufacturing the world's best mobile phones and exporting them."
Semiconductor courses to be available in colleges in India
He said that India is becoming a grand conductor for investments in semiconductor sector. The Prime Minister further added that semiconductor courses will be available in 300 colleges in India.
3 semiconductor agreements signed with US
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that every sector needs semiconductors and that is why, it is important to develop the semiconductor industry for Atmanirbhar Bharat."PM Modi has driven reforms in sector after sector. As a result, from 10th position in the global league of nations in 2014, India today ranks as the fifth largest economy in the world. And in his third term, PM Modi's vision and policies will lead India to join the top three economies of the world," said Vaishnaw.
Vaishnaw further said that during PM Modi's visit to the US three major semiconductor agreements were signed. "During PM's state visit to the US, three major semiconductor agreements were signed first one is micron technology... second applied materials, the most complex equipment which goes into semiconductor manufacturing will be manufactured in India...third Lam Research, it'll train 60,000 engineers on their semiverse platform," added Vaishnaw.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said that Under PM Modi's visionary leadership, India is achieving new heights. "Many visions which looked impossible at one stage are getting fulfilled under his (PM Modi's) Atmanirbhar Bharat resolve," he added.
PM inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 860 cr
Earlier on Thursday (July 27), the Prime Minister inaugurated a greenfield international airport near Rajkot city and other development projects. The Greenfield Airport has been developed in a total land area of more than 2500 acres and at a cost of more than Rs 1400 crores. The new airport has an amalgamation of modern technology and sustainable features.
He also inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 860 crores in Rajkot. Sauni Yojana Link 3 Package 8 and 9 will help further strengthen irrigation facilities and provide drinking water benefits for the Saurashtra region. Upgradation of Dwarka RWSS will help provide adequate and potable water to villages by pipeline.
'Changed name of ‘Jamaat’ but intentions are same'
In an apparent jibe at the new opposition alliance 'INDIA', PM Modi said though corrupt and dynast people have changed the name of their jamaat (community), but their behaviour and goals remain the same. While addressing a gathering at the Race Course Ground in Rajkot, the Prime Minister targetted the 26-party opposition alliance.
He said that they (opposition parties) are angry because the dreams of the common people are being fulfilled under his government. "It is natural for some people to get upset when the country is making progress. Those who kept people deprived (of development) and never had any concerns for the needs and aspirations of our citizens are now angry because the dreams of common people are now being fulfilled," PM Modi said.
The PM accused the opposition of practicing double standards while raising issues related to citizens. "Though these dynasts and corrupt people have changed the name of their jamaat (community), their face, behaviour and intentions are the same old. When the middle-class gets something cheaper, they claim farmers are not getting proper price (for their products). When farmers get good prices, they claim inflation is soaring. This double standards is the hallmark of their politics" said PM Modi without taking any names.
PM holds meeting with BJP ministers in Gandhinagar
PM Modi, who reached Gandhinagar in the evening after attending programmes in Rajkot, held a meeting with Gujarat ministers at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar on Thursday night, according to the news agency PTI sources.
During the meeting with the PM, each minister shared details about major schemes and projects being implemented at present by their respective departments and also their future plans, they said. All members of the Council of Ministers in the BJP government attended the meeting.
Also Read: PM Modi inaugurates new terminal of Rajkot International Airport in Gujarat | VIDEO
(With PTI inputs)
