After the education related matters were over, Arjun turned to G.B. Pant. "Govind-ji, your task was more secret, more fundamental to our true independence. Let’s see your report."
Pant, thorough as always, projected his report with confidence.
"Prime Minister, preliminary work is already proceeding. We’ve identified locations for initial facilities—chosen for secrecy and proximity to raw materials.
According to how you want this group to function, for the ’Layer-I’ alone, we would need approximately 5000 of India’s most trusted engineers, scientists, and metallurgists. With around 1000 in each division. Selection has already begun."
And overall, around 12,000 engineers in total, in all 3 layers. And too just the core personnel."
[A/N: Read the Chapter 46 for divisions(Vajra, Tejas, Loha, Shakti, etc) and layers(1, 2 and 3)]
He detailed the Group’s unique structure.
"Just as you outlined, the Group operates through seemingly independent companies , each serving vital purposes in three production layers.
Each Division has a Division Head, selected for loyalty and expertise. These heads will report to a secret Executive Council—the Pragati Core—which manages the entire distribution of the technological layouts and blueprints."
So, according to the structure you wanted, Prime Minister, there will be a total of 9 divisions across the 3 layers. Of course, more can be added in future if needed."
Patel, who had remained silent through the technical explanations, finally spoke. "The security implications are staggering. If any of this leaks..."
"It won’t leak," Arjun interrupted.
"The 12,000 personnel will be selected after the vague outline of the plan is revealed to them. Enough that they won’t know the full and clear picture, but know that whatever it is that they’re going to be involved in, will require highest level of confidentiality.
Those who cannot commit to absolute secrecy will not be selected. Those who join, do so with bare minimum knowledge of what they’re building and why, until of course, the actual work begins. As for vetting them, Govind-ji, you can use the help of IB, as always."
Vishwajeet Rao Kelkar, the Finance Minister, had been calculating throughout the presentation. "The funding requirements...will be enormous, as one can expect. Not to mention, Prime Minister, I heard you want to re-develop out cities throughout the India."
"That’s right. Which is why we only proceed with Ashoka Group for now. As for city re-development, it will start later. " Arjun replied.
"It should be known that it’s a long process. So, don’t worry about the costs Kelkar-ji, by early 1950s, I can assure you that India’s earning will increase dramatically", Arjun assured him with confidence.
On the topic of city re-development, Arjun looked at the Planning Minister and inquired, "Right, Govind-ji, have you assigned the work of city planning to your associates?"
Pant nodded, "I did, Prime Minister. I have asked my contacts in different states to start city surveys immediately. They should be starting the survey process soon.
I estimate it will take around 4 to 5 years to complete the survey of every major and minor cities in the India, some smaller cities might even be surveyed before that."
Arjun nodded and finally stood up, moving to the window overlooking the government buildings.
"Gentlemen, Bapu’s death has given us something precious—time without moral questioning. The world expects us to stumble, to fragment, to become another failed post-colonial state. Instead, we’re building the foundation of a new kind of power."
"Within five years," he continued, "India will have the finest education system in Asia. Within ten years, we’ll have industrial capacity that rivals any Western nation.
Within fifteen years, we’ll have military technology that puts us far ahead of everyone else. And all of it will be built by Indians, for Indians, and with Indian knowledge and Indian resources."
Patel stood as well. "The coordination required between these initiatives would be anything but easy."
"I know, but they will be managed by the same principles that guide the Ashoka Group," Arjun finished.
"Compartmentalization, encrypted communication, and trusted personnel. The education system creates the skilled workforce. The industrial complex provides the tools. The security apparatus protects it all."
As the meeting concluded, each minister understood they were part of something extraordinary.
Not just government policy, but the secret architecture of a new kind of nation—one that would appear to play by international rules while building capabilities that transcended those rules entirely.
The flags still flew at half-mast outside, but inside this room, the future of India was being forged in steel and secrecy, education and industry, vision and absolute determination.
[A/N: I know it’s a bit small, but don’t worry, Chapters this small will be quite rare]