New Delhi Jan 14 (UNI) Reiterating the government’s commitment towards the welfare of ex-servicemen, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that from implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme to providing health care and re-employment, the Government has been leaving no stone unturned to ensure the well-being of the veterans.
Addressing a Veterans’ Rally at Air Force Station, Kanpur, on the occasion of 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day, the Defence Minister said, “Our soldiers rise above family, caste & creed and only think about the nation. They effectively carry out their duties as they know for a fact that if the nation is secure, everything is safe. This gives them the moral strength to face every challenge”.
He said that while the Government is making more efforts as the nation is progressing, it is also a collective responsibility of the people to treat the soldiers & their dependents as their own family and ensure that they stand with them always.
Rajnath appealed to the people to further strengthen their will to honour the retired as well as the serving soldiers.
The Raksha Mantri pointed out that the bravery, integrity, professional & humanity of the Indian soldiers is respected and recognised not just by the whole country, but by the entire world.
“The bravery of our soldiers who fought in the First & Second World Wars are remembered with respect across the globe. We, Indians, too not only respect our own soldiers, but also those of other countries.
In the 1971 war, more than 90,000 soldiers of Pakistan surrendered to India. We could have treated them in any way we wanted; but such is our culture and tradition that we adopted a completely humanitarian attitude and sent them back to their country with full respect. Such treatment to enemy soldiers is one of the golden chapters of humanity,” he said.
On the occasion, Singh laid a wreath at the War Memorial and paid homage to the heroes for their supreme sacrifice and dedicated service.
Present on the occasion were Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other senior officers.
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year to recognise the service rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953.
