Nausena Shaurya Vatika inaugurated in Lucknow; Rajnath highlights Navy’s role in Operation Sindoor
Lucknow, May 30 (TNT): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Nausena Shaurya Vatika’, an open-air naval museum built at a cost of ₹19 crore in Lucknow, with Defence Minister highlighted the Indian Navy’s role during Operation Sindoor and asserting that India is steadily moving towards self-reliance in defence production.
The museum, spread across more than two acres, showcases artefacts and weapon systems of INS Gomati, which was decommissioned in May 2022 after 34 years of service in the Indian Navy.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath said the Nausena Shaurya Vatika was not merely a tourist attraction but a symbol of inspiration that would remind future generations of the sacrifices made by soldiers to safeguard the nation’s freedom and security.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister said the Indian Navy maintained a formidable posture in the Arabian Sea, creating pressure on the adversary and restricting the Pakistan Navy to its ports.
He praised the coordinated efforts of the Navy, Army and Air Force during the operation.
Emphasising the government’s focus on strengthening national security through military modernisation and indigenous manufacturing, the Defence Minister said India’s defence production has increased from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to over ₹1.51 lakh crore and is expected to reach ₹1.75 lakh crore in the near future.
He said defence exports have risen from less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹40,000 crore, attributing the growth to initiatives such as Make in India, Defence Industrial Corridors, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and ADITI.
Rajnath said Uttar Pradesh was playing a key role in the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem through the Defence Industrial Corridor, while also making progress in sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, education and technology.
Speaking on the occasion, Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the armed forces and said the country’s development goals could be achieved only in a secure and strong nation protected by its soldiers.
The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and other senior civil and military officials.
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