"Now is time for us to give more priority to India's needs": PM Modi gives clarion call for 'Tech Atmanirbhar Bharat'

Addressing the event regarding laying of foundation stone, inauguration of various projects in Bengaluru, PM Modi said that now the time has come for India to take the lead in the emerging fields, including the domains of software and apps.

"Amidst the current achievements, our next big priority should be 'Tech Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Indian tech companies have made their mark all over the world. We have created software and products for the entire world. Now is the time for us to give more priority to India's needs. We have to move ahead more rapidly in developing new products. Today, software and apps are being used in every domain, and it is very important that India reaches new heights in this. We will have to work to take the lead in the emerging fields as well," PM Modi said at the event.

Highlighting the role Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, can play in boosting the country's manufacturing sector, PM Modi said, "We have to further strengthen the presence of Bengaluru and Karnataka in Make in India, in the manufacturing sector. And I urge that our products should be of top quality, to the standards of zero defect, zero effect. This means that the products should be defect-free and their manufacturing should not have any negative impact on the environment. I expect that the talent of Karnataka will lead this vision of self-reliant India," he said.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 15,610-crore Metro Phase-3 project, which will cover more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations, connecting residential, commercial, industrial and educational hubs.

At KSR Railway Station, he flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains, from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune, as part of the government's push to modernise Indian Railways and improve travel standards. (ANI)