JAMMU, SEP 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha graced the North-Tech Symposium-2023 at IIT Jammu’s Jagti Campus, praising the collaborative efforts of the Northern Command, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), and IIT Jammu in hosting a one-of-a-kind event featuring hundreds of industries and defence tech startups.
In a momentous occasion, the Lt. Governor celebrated the milestone of hosting the North-Tech Symposium at IIT Jammu, marking the first time the prestigious defence expo has been held at the institution.
He highlighted the symposium’s significance, emphasizing its role in showcasing the cutting-edge technological advancements of the Indian Army and fostering collaboration between the Army, industry, and academia in research, development, and innovation within the defence technology sector.
Additionally, Lt. Governor Sinha spoke about India’s emergence as a defence exporter and its commitment to self-reliance in defence production. He noted the nation’s substantial progress, citing a significant reduction in arms imports over the last few years and record-breaking defence exports in the previous fiscal year.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, India has set an ambitious target of achieving 70 percent self-reliance in weaponry by 2027,” he said.
Lt. Governor Sinha underscored that this commitment is providing abundant opportunities to private industries, MSMEs, and tech startups, signaling India’s unwavering dedication to self-sufficiency.
Expressing his gratitude to the Armed Forces for their unwavering devotion to the nation and commitment to strengthening national security, the Lt. Governor highlighted the need for innovation in the defence sector to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. He stressed the importance of Research & Development and innovation for defence excellence, ensuring India’s readiness for future warfare.
The symposium features a diverse range of events, including exhibitions, product launches, structured interactions, and technical seminars. Distinguished guests, who were present, included Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C Northern Command; Lt. Gen Rajiv Ghai, GOC 15 Corps; Prof Manoj S Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Dr Sunil Misra, Director General, Society for Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM); senior officers of the Army, Police, Civil Administration, members of SIDM, industry leaders, students, and young entrepreneurs.
