The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for stepping up indigenous production of defence equipment under the ‘Make in India’ programme.Delivering the Valedictory Address at the First-Ever Foundation Course for Military Engineer Services Probationers, in Hyderabad today, Shri Naidu stressed the need for reducing import of defence equipment. Urging the probationers to constantly upgrade their skills and knowledge, the Vice President emphasized the importance of regular training for officers and professionals at various levels to keep abreast of the latest developments.Shri Naidu told the probationers to learn the best practices within and outside India, from both the private as well as the public sector, and strive to reform the procedures and systems for producing outstanding results.Saying that providing cost-effective and time-bound development of infrastructure was the need of the hour, the Vice President advised the probationers to spend time in villages and understand the problems and aspirations of people in rural areas.
He told them understand the needs of the marginalized sections of the society and get a firsthand experience of service delivery in remote areas.Shri Naidu told the trained officers that they have a great opportunity to contribute significantly towards disaster mitigation, relief operations, public infrastructure development and nation-building at large.The Vice President wanted the probationers to always maintain a high-level of integrity, commitment, transparency and accountability.Shri Naidu said that Military Engineer Service has been playing a crucial role in enabling the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Ordnance Factories, DRDO and the Indian Coast Guard in achieving their cherished goals. He asked them to work together in unison, complementing and supporting each other to attain higher levels of productivity.Shri Naidu complimented Dr. MCR HRD Institute for conducting the foundation course for MES probationers. He appreciated the institute for designing a comprehensive approach towards training, which included outdoor, extra-curricular, and co-curricular activities to enable the MES Probationers develop a broader vision and emerge as productive members of the Military Engineer Services.The Director General, MCR HRD Institute, Shri B.P. Acharya, the DG (Personnel) MES, Shri J.R. Garg, the Director (IT), Telangana Government, Smt. A. Sridevi and 63 Group A Officers belonging to Military Engineer Services from 13 States from across the country were present.