Aurangabad: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a key role in evacuating Indian students from war-torn Ukraine. “PM Modi spoke to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelensky. He also spoke to (US President Joe) Biden if needed. The war stopped for a while so that over 22,000 stranded in Ukraine More students could be saved and they returned home. The parents of these students were demanding PM Modi to save them.
Addressing the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Mahasammelan here, the senior BJP leader said, “I am proud of PM Modi, who did something which no other country could do.” Singh spoke of the valor and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap and the Battle of Haldighati. He said that Maharana Pratap ate bread made of grass, but never compromised on his self-respect.
Singh said, “If you understand his dedication, you would call his time Maharana Kaal (era) and not Mughal era. Maharana Pratap (Emperor) never bowed before Akbar and kept his Mewar almost invincible.” The minister said, “Be it Mewar, Haldighati or Galwan, India’s head has always been held high and will remain so.”
Singh said India’s arms exports, which were Rs 900 crore in 2014, have increased to over Rs 16,000 crore during Modi’s tenure as prime minister. “We should thank Modi for his emphasis on making the country self-reliant,” he said.