Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the newly-launched Agnipath scheme is transformative and a game changer making the armed forces future ready. He also said the policy will lend a youthful profile.
Making this assertion while addressing the first batch of Agniveers, now undergoing training in the Army, Navy and IAF, he lauded the recruits for being the pioneers of this “path-breaking” scheme which, he noted, will further empower women. He said the young Agniveers will make the armed forces more youthful and tech-savvy. Interacting with the Agniveers from all over the country in virtual mode along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Prime Minister said technologically-advanced soldiers will play a key role in our armed forces.
Current generation of youth has this potential and Agniveers will play a leading role in the forces in the times to come, he added.
The Agnipath scheme was launched in June last year in which soldiers or Agniveers will be initially recruited for a period of four years. After completion of this tenure, 25 per cent of them will be retained for permanent service for 15 to 17 years while the others will be demobilised.
As per the scheme, announced on June 14 last year, the three services are recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 years for four years. For 2022, the upper age limit was raised to 23 years.
Opposition parties have criticised the exercise but the Government has said it will make the armed forces more youthful and cater to its current needs.
The Prime Minister said new India is filled with renewed vigour and efforts are underway to modernise the armed forces as well as make them “aatmanirbhar” (self-reliant). In the 21st century, the way wars are fought is changing, he said, speaking about the new fronts of contactless warfare and challenges of cyber warfare, according to a statement issued by the Government.
Lauding the potential of the Agniveers, Modi said their spirit is reflective of the bravery of the armed forces which has always kept the flag of the nation flying high. The experience they will acquire through this opportunity will be a source of pride for life, he added.
“Hailing the potential of youth and Agniveers, the Prime Minister concluded by saying that they are the ones who are going to provide leadership to the nation in the 21st century,” the statement quoting Modi said.
He said Agnipath will further empower women and expressed happiness at how women Agniveers are adding pride to naval forces.
The Prime Minister said he looks forward to seeing women Agniveers in all three forces, noting that they are leading armed forces on various fronts and cited examples of women posted in Siachen and driving modern fighter planes.
Modi told the recruits that getting posted in different regions will give them an opportunity to get diverse experiences and they should try to learn different languages, cultures and ways of living.
He said teamwork and the honing of leadership skills will add a new dimension to their personality. He exhorted Agniveers to remain curious about learning new things while simultaneously working on bettering their skills in the fields of their choice.
The Prime Minister said ‘New India’ is filled with renewed vigour, and efforts are underway to modernise the Armed Forces as well as make them ‘Aatmanirbhar’.
Rajnath termed Agnipath scheme as one of the most important and unprecedented reforms. He asserted that strengthening the security apparatus of the country is the Government’s top-most priority amidst the ever-evolving global scenario and geopolitical uncertainty. In such a situation, the new scheme will make the profile of the Armed forces more youthful and tech-savvy, he said.
He said all efforts are being made so that the Agniveers are able to serve the society, along with the Armed Forces, with their strength and knowledge. The scheme is a pioneering step towards building a strong and prosperous ‘New India’.
The Defence Minister appreciated the fact that the scheme received encouraging response, with a large number of applicants turning up for the recruitment. He made special mention of the women Agniveers who are also being trained along with their male counterparts.
He pointed out that several Ministries, including the Defence Ministry, are coming forward for the welfare of Agniveers.
Reservation is being ensured for Agniveers on a number of posts in various departments of Ministry of Defence, Central Armed Police Forces and Ministry of Railways. Arrangements are being made jointly by the defence ministry and Ministry of Education to ensure proper education to the Agniveers, he said.
In collaboration with Ministry of Finance, arrangements are being made to provide loans at reasonable rates to Agniveers, who wish to start self-employment or any business after service, Rajnath said.
The Prime Minister’s address was telecast live on all Agniveer Training Centres and was attended by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and other senior officers of the Ministry of Defence.