The recent terror attack at Pahelgam has shaken us all. We grieve the loss of innocent lives, yet we refuse to be broken. In the face of violence and division, India’s greatest answer is reaffirming our collective purpose: building a stronger, more self-reliant nation. As we condemn terror in all its forms, we must also channel our grief into constructive energy—into work that uplifts communities, secures livelihoods, and unites us in a shared endeavour. For me, that work is manufacturing.
In an era when physical borders feel porous and geopolitical fault lines shift unpredictably, manufacturing offers a steadfast anchor—but it isn’t immune to the headwinds we face at home and abroad. Supply-chain shocks laid bare our dependence on external inputs, while infrastructure gaps slow production just as global competitors race ahead. We confront acute skill shortages in both urban and rural areas, the urgent imperative to decarbonise and automate our plants, and mounting pressure from rapid technological change.
At the same time, digital platforms that promise free expression have too often been weaponised—social media echo chambers amplify hate speech, polarising “right-wing vs others” narratives and stoking fights over religion that distract us from collective progress. To safeguard livelihoods, secure critical supply lines, and reinforce India’s economic sovereignty, these industrial and social vulnerabilities must be addressed in a coordinated manner. Overcoming these challenges demands that we rise above creed, caste, colour, and politics—on the shop floor and beyond.
When we speak the universal language of design, engineering, and assembly, we forge bonds that no hate-filled post or divisive slogan can sever. “My religion is manufacturing” becomes more than a rallying cry. I look at that as a commitment to unity through shared purpose. Every innovator, operator, and entrepreneur, regardless of their background, shares a stake in quality craftsmanship and in building factories that sustain communities. By making inclusion our operating principle and focusing on real-world outcomes, we cut through the noise of social discord and channel our diverse energies into one mission: powering Viksit Bharat 2047.
Harnessing India’s Leadership and Regional Momentum
India today benefits from a powerful convergence of strong central leadership and proactive state-level reforms. Under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s global brand has ascended to new heights, with diplomatic outreach and strategic partnerships unlocking fresh avenues for trade, investment, and technology collaboration. At the national level, ministers such as Nitin Gadkari (infrastructure), Piyush Goyal (trade), S Jaishankar (external affairs), and Ashwini Vaishnaw (electrification and digital) have championed reforms that simplify regulatory processes, accelerate infrastructure development, and enhance India’s ease of doing business.
Simultaneously, state governments have emerged as engines of growth, each staking out its area of competitive advantage. Gujarat has developed world-class manufacturing parks, Maharashtra has strengthened its automotive clusters, and Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have emerged as hubs for electronics production. In the south, Karnataka’s deep-tech corridors are fostering innovation, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lead in pharmaceuticals and information technology. Together, these national and regional initiatives are creating an ecosystem in which factories can thrive, supply chains can integrate seamlessly, and employment opportunities can expand nationwide.
India’s Greatest Asset: Our People
Imagine India’s 1.4 billion citizens as a vast reservoir of untapped potential—each individual a drop whose collective force can propel our nation forward. Yet today, too many of these drops are stranded in dry fields of underemployment, low wages, and outdated skills. To transform this reservoir into a roaring river of growth, we must empower every Indian—beginning at home, continuing through school, and culminating in dignified, well-paid work.
Our demographic dividend can only be realised if we equip every citizen with the technical prowess and civic grounding required for modern manufacturing. Without a workforce that combines cutting-edge skills with disciplined habits, India cannot compete on efficiency, quality, or workplace safety—pillars that global manufacturers demand.
Embedding vocational training into secondary education transforms schools into feeder pipelines for industry. By setting up “maker labs” equipped with CNC routers, 3D printers, welding stations, and basic robotic kits, students learn by doing—designing mini-projects that mirror real plant processes. Partnerships with local MSMEs can rotate instructors through classrooms, giving students exposure to shop-floor realities at age 15 or 16. This approach not only demystifies technical careers but also builds pride in craftsmanship from the outset, helping young people envision themselves as future engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs.
Technical skill without civic discipline leads to underutilised capacity and safety hazards. We must weave civic values—such as traffic sense, public cleanliness, and respect for shared infrastructure—into both formal curricula and community service initiatives. Imagine every manufacturing student spending a day each month in “Swachh Udyog” drives on the factory premises, or conducting traffic-safety awareness sessions in their neighbourhoods. Such programs instil personal accountability and foster respect for public property, which directly translates into fewer workplace accidents, less downtime, and lower maintenance costs in factories.
Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
Imagine India in 2047—a fully developed economy underpinned by a globally competitive manufacturing sector. By then, Indian plants will be seamlessly integrated into global value chains, supplying critical components for automobiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy systems. Across Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, vibrant innovation ecosystems will flourish, featuring R&D centres, additive manufacturing hubs, and digital twin labs that drive perpetual product refinement and technological breakthroughs.
Millions of Indians will enjoy well-paid employment in modern factories, logistics networks, maintenance operations, and quality-assurance roles, all backed by comprehensive social security and healthcare. Our factories will operate with zero waste, powered predominantly by renewable energy, and will embody circular-economy principles that set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship.
This is not a utopian dream but a reachable horizon—one we can attain by marshalling our collective will, forging strong partnerships between government and industry, and empowering every citizen with the skills and opportunities to contribute. Together, we will build Viksit Bharat 2047, where manufacturing drives inclusive prosperity, continuous innovation, and lasting sustainability.
I invite you—factory owner, engineer, operator, investor, policy-maker—to make manufacturing your faith. Together, let us forge a Viksit Bharat 2047 founded on the sweat of our brows, the sharpness of our minds, and the unity of our hearts. In manufacturing, we find our greatest strength—and our truest expression of patriotism.
