A New India
Chapter 178 - 178: Skill Enhancement Initiative for Defense

Rohan flipped through the latest reports on the newly established Defense Research and Development Organization.

The progress was promising.

Scientists were hard at work, young minds were being trained, and the military had already started reaping the benefits of DRDO's research.

The current situation of the world is gold everywhere. From technology to scientist is open for grab, all a country needs right now is vision.

Even though India is strong with the recent economic development and Nucelar power but it cannot be denied the resources it can mobilise are low compare to western countries.

That is why it is important to have and hone local population.

Rohan already knew that the common people were still largely disconnected from this defense revolution.

India's strength would come from its people.

It wasn't enough to have the elite working on defense technology; the entire nation needed to be involved, especially with skilled labor and active contributions from every corner of the country.

He called his Defence Minister, Sardar Patel, and Harish Patel, the Finance Minister, for an urgent meeting.

The three men had worked closely over the past few months on HAL, DRDO, and the nation's other defense initiatives.

Yet Rohan knew he has to once again use his knowledge of future and establish the National Security Council that was created in 1999, soon.

Sardar Patel health has been declining and it is already a miracle he has lived till 1954.

He cannot overuse them for everything, they need a proper structure.

Soon they entered the room and Rohan wasted no time getting to the point.

"The Defence Sector revolution is going good but now let's move on to the millions dollar question which is money. We already have a limited amount of resources and with HAL and DRDO we can't expand more without comprising somewhere else. So I am proposing something that while draining the resources in short time will give us more effective solution for future.

That is involving not just elites but common people in Defence Sector"

Sardar Patel coughing slightly took a deep breath and leaned forward with a frown. "You're talking about involving ordinary citizens in the defense sector? How?"

Rohan nodded. "Yes. We need to implement a policy that actively encourages the skill enhancement of our people, particularly in areas that are directly connected to defense manufacturing and technology development. We need to provide training courses across the country that will enable our people to develop skills in engineering, machining, electronics, and more."

Harish, already tired tapped his fingers on the table. "This is a good idea, effectively using our resources and investing on something that will benefit in long term, but sir I will say it upfront doing this will result is problems we might have to compromise somewhere else."

Rohan anticipated this.

He had spent the last few nights pouring over numbers and analyzing the country's financial capabilities.

He reached for a folder on his desk and opened it.

"I've reviewed the figures," Rohan said, handing a document to Harish. "This plan will explain you what I wanted to discuss with you guys in a later meeting"

Harsh took the documents and started reading but as he continued reading it with every page his expression went from calm to shock to disbelieve

"S....sir this is unprecedented, this will change everything"

"Haha, dont worry after I implement this plan we won't have to worry about resources restrictions, we will discuss it later, right now here's what I'm proposing, We implement a tax incentive for ordinary citizens who participate in these skill enhancement programs. In return, we give them a tax cut.

This will serve two purposes: It will incentivize people to learn valuable skills that can be applied in the defense sector, and it will ease the financial burden on families who want to contribute to this effort."

Sardar Patel leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "A tax cut for skill development? It's a unique idea, but will the people respond?"

Rohan smiled slightly. "People will respond when they see the benefits. This isn't just about giving people jobs, it's about empowering them to take part in Defence Sector. When they know that they're contributing to national security, that they're helping to protect their families and their country, they'll be eager to get involved."

Harish who was confident suddenly became cautious once again "Sir, we can make this work, but we'll need to start small. The initial rollout should target regions where we already have industrial bases Bangalore, Hyderabad, and areas near HAL. Once we see how the people respond, we can expand to other parts of the country."

Rohan nodded, already thinking of the next steps. "We'll also need to partner with technical institutes and universities. They're already teaching engineering and technology, but we need to give them a more defense-oriented curriculum. These training centers should work in parallel with our defense industries, ensuring that what's being taught can be immediately applied."

Sardar Patel leaned forward again. "And what about the long-term impact? These people will develop skills, yes, but will they have employment opportunities afterward?"

Rohan placed his hands on the table, his gaze steady. "That's the entire point. As DRDO, HAL and private companies expand we'll need more and more skilled labor. The people who go through these programs will be the workforce of the future. They'll be the ones building our planes, our radars, and even our future missile systems."

Harish nodded in agreement. "We've seen the potential of our people in engineering and manufacturing. But this plan will channel that potential directly into our defense sector."

Rohan smiled, pleased that both ministers were on board. "Then let's move forward. I want a nationwide announcement prepared. We'll launch the Skill Enhancement Initiative for Defense, an open call for our citizens to actively participate in India's defense development."

Days later, the radio waves across India crackled to life with the voice of Prime Minister Rohan.

It wasn't the first time he'd addressed the nation, but this message was one of the most important.

"My fellow citizens," Rohan began, his voice steady

"We live in a time of great change. Our country is growing, our industries are expanding, and our military is becoming stronger. But the strength of our nation does not lie in buildings or machines, it lies in the people of India."

There was a pause

"Our future depends on all of us working together to build a self-reliant India. Today, I am proud to announce the launch of the Skill Enhancement Initiative for Defense. This program is designed to empower you the people of India to actively participate in the development of our defense sector."

Across the country, in homes, workshops, and factories, people stopped what they were doing to listen.

From the crowded streets of Delhi to the rural villages of Bihar, Rohan's voice reached every corner of the nation.

"We will open training centers across the country," Rohan continued. "In these centers, you will have the opportunity to learn skills that will directly contribute to India's defense capabilities, skills in engineering, electronics, machining, and more. And to support you in this effort, we are introducing a tax cut for those who participate in these programs.

You will not only gain valuable skills, but you will also be rewarded for your contribution to the nation's security."

"Together," Rohan concluded, "we will build a nation that is strong, self-reliant, and secure. Together, we will shape the future of India."

The Speech ended with message that the country needs you once again and this time they are giving you the benefits of being involved.

The announcement was met with an overwhelmingly positive response.

Across the country, technical institutes and universities partnered with the government to set up training centers for the Skill Enhancement Initiative.

In Bangalore, engineers who had once been confined to simple manufacturing tasks now began learning the intricacies of defense engineering.

In Hyderabad, machinists and technicians trained to produce precision components for the country's growing defense sector.

Thousands of citizens signed up for the training programs, eager to take part in the nation's defense efforts.

For many, it wasn't just about the tax cut, they were people who fought for the independence of India and for them anything that helps India become strong is a important goal that surpass anything.

One such man, Arun, a 30 year old engineer in Bangalore, had been working in a factory for years, building basic components for airplanes.

When the Skill Enhancement Initiative launched, he immediately signed up for the program.

In a training center filled with new equipment and instructors brought in by DRDO, Arun sat at a bench learning how to assemble radar systems.

"This is what I have been waiting for," Arun said to one of his fellow trainees. "I unfortunately was not talented nor had the resources the new generation of this country will have and has but now I will show them these old bone who supported Independence of India can now support the future of this nation as well"