Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, (4R), Lt Gen Manjinder Singh (3L), Ankit Mehta (3R) among others during the seminar. (Photo: Indian Army)
Jaipur: The Gyan Shakti Think Tank (GSTT), established under the Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti Command (South-Western Command), conducted its inaugural seminar on Monday. The seminar, themed “Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing: Opportunities in Rajasthan,” was held in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci) at the Jaipur Military Station.
The Union minister of industry and commerce, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (retired), and the Ficci co-chairman, Ankit Mehta, attended the event. Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, commander of the Sapta Shakti Command, delivered the seminar’s keynote address.
Lt Gen Manjinder Singh delivering the keynote address. (Photo: Indian Army)
GSTT is a pioneering initiative by the Sapta Shakti Command to foster intellectual engagement and provide a comprehensive platform for veterans to discuss defence, national and regional security, and to help shape strategic vision. Veterans bring extensive experience and invaluable domain knowledge, contributing tirelessly and selflessly to the transformation of the armed forces, national security, and nation-building.
This platform aims to integrate and synergize the efforts of veterans, scholars, academia, and industry to support regional and national growth, in alignment with the government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047” (Developed India @ 2047). It is envisioned to act as a centre of excellence and a repository of knowledge.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (in blue tie) and Lt Gen Manjinder Singh (L) checking an UAV on display during the event. (Photo: Indian Army)
The seminar held in collaboration with Ficci marked the thinktank’s first step towards bolstering self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It also aimed to highlight Rajasthan’s significant potential in developing a defence ecosystem and to unite all stakeholders in charting a path for establishing a defence manufacturing, maintenance, and repair hub in the state.
The seminar was attended by representatives from over 29 industries and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), with 23 stalls set up by various defence agencies, startups, and manufacturing firms to showcase capabilities and initiatives in the defence sector.
