'Chintan Shivir': Defence Ministry To Hold Brainstorming Session On Critical Issues Like National Security, Defence Production

The Defence Ministry announced that they will discuss various issues related to national security, domestic defence production, and the welfare of armed forces personnel at a brainstorming session starting on Monday (19 June).

The Ministry will hold a two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ in New Delhi on 19 and 20 June to discuss the challenges faced by various departments.

The Departments of Defence, Defence Production, Military Affairs, and Ex-Servicemen Welfare have identified themes for subject experts to share their views on with Ministry officials.

The Department of Defence will focus on developing a comprehensive approach to national security, addressing cyber security challenges, establishing national information security policy and guidelines, and improving the Sainik School education system.

The Department of Defence Production has listed several issues for discussion, including enhancing production and defence exports, increasing self-reliance, promoting indigenisation, improving the industrial ecosystem and skilled workforce, and implementing quality reforms.

The Department of Military Affairs will address critical issues related to integrating and optimising human resources, training and operational matters, and achieving greater synergy and modernisation to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces in the strategic domain.

Discussions will also focus on identifying and eliminating colonial practices and obsolete laws, and incorporating the country's own ethos and practices into the functioning of the armed forces.

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has identified issues such as improving employability and promoting entrepreneurship for veterans to start micro-enterprises, resettling veterans, and enhancing the health services available to them for discussion.

An open-house session will conclude the ‘Chintan Shivir’ to invite ideas and suggestions for enhancing organisational efficiency in various departments.

The Defence Ministry stated that they were organising the event in line with the government's directions to conduct a real-time audit of the objectives achieved to date and carve a way forward towards achieving the desired goals in realistic timelines.