A New India
Chapter 170 - 170: The Birth of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Prime Minister Rohan sat in his office. In front of him lay the blueprints for a dream, one that had been in the making for years.

He had seen India through difficult times from independence to here in 1954. He has seen many things which he never expected he will ever see.

Yet in all this India has become the controller and the biggest player. But this is not enough for Rohan.

His ambition to make India a superpower in this era has forced him to work more hard yet in those he found struggle, nothing which he could not pacify.

Because now, as the dust from those struggles settled, a new challenge lay ahead.

It was time for India to build its own aviation industry.

The pieces were slowly falling into place.

Kurt Tank, the German aeronautical engineer, had been in Delhi for over a week now, providing his expertise and guidance.

But the foundation of the aviation industry was not just about Kurt's presence.

It was about India standing on its own, creating an institution that would fuel its self-reliance for decades to come.

That institution would be called Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Rohan leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the blueprint before him.

Bangalore and Kanpur would become the centers of this new venture.

It was a massive undertaking, but one that couldn't wait any longer.

India could no longer depend on foreign nations for its aircraft.

It had to become a producer, not just a consumer.

He looked up as Neeraj knocked gently and entered the room.

"Sir, the officials from the Defense Ministry, Finance, and Industry are gathered in the conference room. They're waiting for you."

Rohan nodded, pushing his chair back and standing up. "Thank you. Let them know I'll be there in a moment."

He took a final glance at the blueprint, then straightened his jacket.

This was more than just a meeting.

Today, they would officially lay the foundation for India's aviation future.

-----

The conference room in South Block was filled with the most senior officials in the government.

Representatives from the Defense Ministry, Industry, and Finance were present, as well as several key figures from India's burgeoning engineering sector.

Rohan entered the room with an air of quiet confidence, the weight of the moment visible in his every step.

He stood at the head of the table, the same blueprint now spread out before the group. "Gentlemen," he began, his voice steady and deliberate, "we're here today to discuss something that will change the course of this country. We've fought many battles, secured our borders, and defended our sovereignty. But now, we face a different challenge. A challenge that will define how India moves forward."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.

"We have long depended on others for our aircraft, whether it be Britain, the United States, or other Western powers. Every plane we buy is a reminder that we are not yet fully independent. That ends today. With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, we will build our own aircraft, for our own defense, and eventually, for the global market. We will not just be participants in aviation; we will be leaders."

The room was quiet, the gravity of the moment settling in. Rohan continued.

"Bangalore will serve as the hub for research and development, given its proximity to the Indian Institute of Science. Kanpur will handle production. We've secured the land, and the engineers are ready to begin. All we need now is your support, and we can make this dream a reality."

Harish finance minister cleared his throat and spoke up. "Prime Minister, the ambition is clear, and the vision is inspiring. But this will be an expensive project. Establishing factories, research facilities, and training programs, it's all going to require a significant investment.

How do we plan to fund this without derailing other projects, especially when the public works budget is already stretched thin?"

Rohan nodded, expecting the question. "We will be allocating funds from the defense budget, but this won't be a purely government-run project. We'll be partnering with the private sector. I've already had conversations with J.R.D. Tata and other industrialists. They're ready to invest in this project.

We'll create a public-private partnership, ensuring efficiency and accountability while keeping the core of the project in Indian hands."

There was a murmur of approval from some of the officials.

Tata's name carried weight, and his involvement would bring not only financial backing but credibility to the project.

Defense Minister Sardar Patel, sitting at the far end of the table, leaned forward. "Prime Minister, I'm fully behind this project. But we must be practical. This is more than just building planes. We'll need skilled engineers, trained pilots, and workers who understand the intricacies of manufacturing aircraft. Do we have the manpower for this?"

Rohan met his gaze. "That's why we're starting in Bangalore. The Indian Institute of Science is already producing some of the best engineers in the country. We will expand their programs to include aeronautical engineering. Furthermore, we will be bringing in foreign experts to train our people in the initial phases.

In a few years, we'll have our own workforce, trained and ready to lead this industry."

Patel seemed satisfied with the answer. "And what about the timeline? When can we expect to see the first aircraft?"

Rohan's expression softened slightly, knowing that while the ambition was great, the reality would require patience. "We're aiming for the first prototype within the next three years. But let's be clear, this is not a sprint. We're building something that will last for decades. We must be thorough."

Hearing this everyone agreed and realised it's not hard achieving results fast but then it will be comprising on India's National Security.

So they finally agreed and support Rohan and now with the meeting's success, Rohan's vision for HAL began to take shape.

------

Over the next few weeks, construction teams arrived in Bangalore and Kanpur.

The once-empty plots of land were now bustling with activity as workers began laying the foundation for what would become India's first aircraft manufacturing facilities.

Rohan traveled frequently between Delhi and Bangalore, overseeing the progress.

He stood on-site in Bangalore, watching as the first beams were raised.

Ashok, one of the lead engineers, stood beside him.

"It's hard to believe," Ashok said, wiping sweat from his brow, "that in just a few years, we'll be building planes here."

Rohan smiled, his gaze fixed on the construction. "It's hard to believe because we've never done it before. But that's what makes it exciting, isn't it? We're not just building planes, We're building independence."

Ashok nodded, his expression one of quiet determination. "We've got a long road ahead, sir. But with the right support, I think we can get there. Not to mention under your leadership anything is possible"

Rohan turned to him, his voice resolute. "We will get there. Failure is not an option."

Everything was going fine but the financial aspect of HAL had been a concern from the start, but Rohan had a plan.

He wasn't relying solely on government funding.

He had already approached some of India's top industrialists, including J.R.D. Tata, for support.

Tata, known for his vision and leadership in India's industries, was quick to see the potential in HAL.

In a private meeting in Mumbai, Rohan laid out the plan to Tata.

"J.R.D., we need your help. HAL will be the backbone of India's aviation industry, but it can't just be a government effort. We need the private sector involved to ensure efficiency and innovation. I want HAL to be a public-private partnership."

Tata listened carefully, his eyes thoughtful as Rohan spoke.

After a few moments, he leaned forward. "Prime Minister, I believe in India's potential as much as you do. This aviation industry you're building, if it succeeds, it will change the face of this country. I'm willing to invest, but we need to make sure this isn't just another bureaucratic venture. It needs to be run like a business, not a government department."

Rohan smiled. "That's exactly what I want. With your backing and the government's support, HAL will be a symbol of what we can achieve."

Tata nodded, sealing the partnership with a handshake. "Let's build it then."

-----

As the weeks passed, the construction in Bangalore and Kanpur accelerated.

The foundation was laid, and soon the first walls of the factories began to rise.

Rohan continued to visit the sites regularly, meeting with engineers, workers, and architects to ensure the project stayed on track.

One afternoon, as Rohan walked through the nearly completed Bangalore facility, Ashok along with the whole group of engineers walked with him.

"We've had a few setbacks with materials, sir," Ashok said, glancing around at the construction. "But nothing we can't handle."

Rohan nodded. "Setbacks are expected. This is just the beginning. Once these factories are up and running, the real work will start. Training the workers, building the planes, that's where we'll face the true test."

Ashok smiled slightly. "I think we're ready for it."

Rohan turned to face the horizon, where the factory's silhouette stood against the setting sun. "We're not just building for today, Ashok. We're building for the future. The day will come when India leads in aviation, not just follows."