Operation Sindoor showcased India’s indigenous defence capabilities: Union Minister Verma

Bengaluru, Aug 29 (IANS) Operation Sindoor showcased the strength of India’s indigenous weapons and missiles and demonstrated that the country is no longer behind any nation in defence capabilities, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, B.L. Verma, said on Saturday at the 115th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Test House (NTH).

Speaking at the 115th Foundation Day celebrations of the NTH and the inauguration of its new Bengaluru building, Verma said Operation Sindoor had demonstrated the technological capabilities of products developed under the country’s push for self-reliance.

“When we saw Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed the capability of our indigenous weapons and powerful missiles. Today, India is not behind anyone,” he said.

Verma said the NTH had played an important role in India’s journey towards scientific testing, quality, product safety and reliability over more than a century.

“The 115th Foundation Day marks the completion of 114 years of dedicated service by the NTH. This is not merely an institutional achievement, but a celebration of India’s proud journey in scientific testing, quality, product safety and reliability,” he said.

The minister said the NTH’s journey began in 1912 as the Government Test House at Alipore in Kolkata and that the institution had evolved into an important pillar of India’s national quality infrastructure.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government was working towards achieving the goals of ‘Make in India’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Zero Defect, Zero Effect’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, he said.

“Quality is the foundation of all these goals. The quality of a product determines its reliability, and that reliability gives the product its identity as a brand,” Verma said.

He said the NTH was being modernised in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Reform, Perform and Transform”.

The minister highlighted the NTH’s entry into emerging areas such as drone testing and certification.

With drones being increasingly used in defence, agriculture, surveying, disaster management and other civilian sectors, reliable testing and certification would help build a safe and robust drone ecosystem, he said.

Verma also highlighted Electric Vehicle battery testing facilities and said reliable testing of EV batteries and related systems would contribute to industrial safety, efficiency and India’s global competitiveness.

He said the expansion of chemical testing capabilities was equally important for chemical safety, industrial material testing, environmental monitoring and public health.

On the new Bengaluru facility, Verma said its location was significant as Bengaluru is a major centre for technology, innovation, research, engineering and advanced industries.

“The presence of NTH in Bengaluru will provide industries, startups, research institutions and innovators with better testing and technical services,” he said.

Verma added that the new building was not merely physical infrastructure but a step towards strengthening India’s modern scientific capabilities and quality infrastructure to meet future testing requirements.

–IANS

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