Argus News | Odisha News Today

New Delhi, Sep 17: Showcasing India’s rising economic strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the nation’s resilience and global credibility, pointing to rapid advances in semiconductors, fintech innovation, and logistics infrastructure. Speaking at the inauguration of SEMICON India 2026, PM Modi said India had recorded 7.8 per cent economic growth in the latest quarter despite a challenging global environment. He pointed to recent milestones over the past fortnight, including the Global FinTech Fest in Mumbai, where discussions revolved around inclusive finance through agentic AI, tokenisation, and quantum technology. Also read: Wishes Pour in as PM Modi Turns 76 He also noted the operationalisation of 3,000 km of dedicated freight corridors, which he said would accelerate movement, improve logistics, and give fresh impetus to manufacturing. On semiconductors, the Prime Minister stressed that India’s chip industry was gaining momentum, declaring that “India’s chips will go out to the world.” He further cited a sovereign rating upgrade for India by a credit rating agency, calling it a reflection of growing global confidence in the economy. Referring to the recent BRICS Summit hosted by India, PM Modi said the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration by consensus was another sign of international trust in India’s leadership. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the event, said Semicon 2.0 would strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem around six pillars — chip design, machines and materials, fabs, advanced packaging, research and development, and talent. He revealed that more than 105 startups participated in the first phase, with about 20 securing venture capital funding worth ₹800 crore. Under Semicon 2.0, the government aims to support at least 200 chip ‑ design startups. Vaishnaw added that India had trained 70,000 design engineers in four years, against a 10 ‑ year target of 85,000, and that over 400 universities now have access to electronic design automation tools. (IANS)

Bhubaneswar, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turned 76 on Thursday, praising his lifelong commitment to service and dedication, and describing his journey as a source of inspiration for millions. "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the symbol of tireless hard work, sacrifice, and foresight," HM Shah said in a post on X. "The life of Modi ji, who has made karma his sadhana and national service the aim of his life, is an epic tale of penance, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve. His journey, filled with service and dedication, is an inspiration for millions of countrymen," he added. अथक परिश्रम, त्याग और दूरदर्शिता के प्रतीक प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। कर्म को साधना और राष्ट्रसेवा को जीवन का ध्येय बनाकर चलने वाले मोदी जी का जीवन तप, त्याग और अटूट संकल्प की गाथा है। सेवा और समर्पण से भरी उनकी यात्रा करोड़ों देशवासियों… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 17, 2026 "I pray to God that he remains long-lived and healthy, and under his leadership, the country continues to scale new heights of progress and moves forward towards achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047," the Home Minister concluded his post. Also read: SEMICON India 2026: PM Modi to Inaugurate Global Tech Showcase Today Extending his birthday wishes, BJP National President Nitin Nabin said that under PM Modi’s leadership, the country is moving forward on the path of development and self-reliance, while also advancing on the international stage. Taking to X, Nabin said, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the synonym of national service and dedication, the leader of 140 crore fellow countrymen." राष्ट्रसेवा और समर्पण के पर्याय, 140 करोड़ देशवासियों के नेतृत्वकर्ता आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। ‘Nation First’ के संकल्प के साथ आपकी यह यात्रा सेवा, सुशासन और जनकल्याण की एक प्रेरक गाथा रही है। यह यात्रा किसी एक व्यक्ति की नहीं,… pic.twitter.com/eGc7ejzrN5 — Nitin Nabin (@NitinNabin) September 17, 2026 "With the resolve of 'Nation First', your journey has been an inspiring saga of service, good governance, and public welfare. This journey is not of any one individual, but also of the collective dream of the countrymen, which you have given direction through your actions and penance," he said. "Under your guidance, India is forging new dimensions of development and self-reliance and is continuously advancing on the global stage with its new identity and strength," the BJP chief said. "I pray to God that He grants you excellent health, long life, and the continuous strength for national service," Nabin added. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also extended his wishes, saying PM Modi as “a fountain of inspiration”. “When the dedication of a servant transforms into the resolve of a hero, that is when the construction of New India takes place under the leadership of ‘Narendra’. A fountain of inspiration, visionary leadership, hearty birthday wishes to the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji,” wrote CM Majhi in a post on X. ଜଣେ ସେବକର ନିଷ୍ଠା ଯେବେ ନାୟକର ସଂକଳ୍ପରେ ରୂପାନ୍ତରିତ ହୁଏ, ସେତେବେଳେ ‘ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର’ଙ୍କ ନେତୃତ୍ୱରେ ନବଭାରତର ନିର୍ମାଣ ହୁଏ। ପ୍ରେରଣାର ପୁଞ୍ଜ, ଦୂରଦର୍ଶୀ ନେତୃତ୍ୱ, ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀଜୀଙ୍କୁ ଜନ୍ମଦିନର ଶତ ଶତ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। ମା' ଭାରତୀର ସେବାରେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଜୀବନର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ ଏକ ସମର୍ପିତ… pic.twitter.com/J1WmeuVmy0 — Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) September 17, 2026 “Every moment of your life is a sacred offering in the service of Mother India. Under your resolute leadership, the darkness of poverty and inequality has been dispelled, and the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ has today become the ‘grand mantra of development’ resonating in the heart of every citizen,” he added. “From foundations to the future, from villages to infinite space, your expansive vision has not only shown dreams to the countrymen but has also given them the courage and strength to realize those dreams,” he wrote further. “On this auspicious occasion of your birthday, I pray at the feet of Lord Shri Jagannath that He may grant you long life, good health, and immense inner strength. May the resolve for a developed India through your karma yoga be fulfilled, and may India continue to march ahead unceasingly on the path of development,” CM Majhi concluded his post. Former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan also extended his wishes in a post on social media. “Warm birthday wishes to the world’s most popular leader, our respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,” wrote Pradhan. विश्व के सर्वाधिक लोकप्रिय राजनेता आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। जनसेवा से देशसेवा तक 25 वर्षों का आपका समर्पित जीवन राष्ट्रसेवा की प्रेरणा है। आपके नेतृत्व में भारत ने विकास, जनकल्याण और वैश्विक प्रतिष्ठा की नई ऊँचाइयाँ हासिल की… pic.twitter.com/9boKc2LQ3E — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 17, 2026 “Your 25 years of dedicated life, from public service to national service, is an inspiration for the nation. Under your leadership, India has achieved new heights in development, welfare, and global recognition, while your vision of a ‘Developed India’ continues to inspire millions. “I pray to Lord Jagannath and Maa Samalei to bless you with long life, good health, and boundless energy, and may your guidance always remain with us. May this glorious journey of national service under his leadership continue endlessly,” he concluded his post. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, Narendra Modi has risen from humble beginnings to become India’s longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister. Representing Varanasi in Parliament, he has held the nation’s top office since May 26, 2014, now in his third consecutive term. Before assuming the premiership, PM Modi served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014, steering the state through a period of rapid development.