In a significant push to establish Punjab as a central player in India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, the state government organized a Defence Skills Conclave in Chandigarh on Saturday. The event focused squarely on skill development for the Defence, Aerospace, and Strategic Sectors.
Building a Talent Pipeline for Self-Reliance
Presided over by Punjab's Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister, Aman Arora, the conclave was designed as a key platform to architect a robust talent pipeline. This initiative is core to the country's ambition of achieving self-reliance, or Atmanirbharata, in defence manufacturing. Minister Arora, addressing the gathering, connected the state's historic role with its future potential.
He highlighted Punjab's rich legacy in India's defence, noting that while the state has only 2% of the nation's population, it contributes over 12% of its soldiers. However, he emphasized that in today's age of technological warfare, bravery must be complemented with cutting-edge technical skills. The conclave, he stated, reflects the CM Bhagwant Mann-led government's commitment to transform Punjab into a premier hub that not only produces soldiers but also highly skilled technologists and engineers.
Punjab's Strategic Advantages for Defence Investment
Arora outlined the state's compelling advantages for attracting investment in the defence industry. These include international airports in Mohali and Amritsar, one of India's largest air force bases in Adampur, and a conducive, business-friendly policy environment. The government is actively working with industry leaders, educational institutions, and stakeholders to identify specific skill gaps and develop targeted training programmes for the sector.
"In the coming times, if any state can serve the country the most in terms of skilling for defence — digitally, psychologically and emotionally — it is Punjab," Arora asserted. He stressed the need for collaborative policy-making between industry and the Central government to fully harness this potential and position Punjab as the nation's steadfast shield.
Central Government and State Officials Voice Support
The conclave received strong endorsements from senior officials. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh praised the Punjab government for hosting the event, calling it a step towards making India a global manufacturing hub. He emphasized the critical need to create a strong skills ecosystem and a diversified industrial base, acknowledging Punjab's immense potential given its strong military tradition.
Assuring full support from the state administration, Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Principal Secretary Alaknanda Dayal pledged to facilitate investments in the defence manufacturing sector. This high-level convergence of intent signals a coordinated push to translate Punjab's historic defence credentials into a modern industrial capability.
The Defence Skills Conclave marks a strategic move by Punjab to pivot from being a primary contributor of human capital to the armed forces to also becoming a powerhouse of defence technology and manufacturing, aligning with the national Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
