On a significant Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a crucial expedition to the strategically vital region of Arunachal Pradesh, where he undertook a comprehensive assessment of the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces at their forward posts. In an impressive display of his commitment to national security, Singh personally inspected the frontline positions situated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where he took the opportunity to celebrate the auspicious festival of Dussehra in the company of these dedicated troops.
During his engagement with the valiant personnel stationed in these remote and challenging border locations, Rajnath Singh expressed his profound gratitude for their unyielding spirit, unwavering commitment, and unparalleled courage. These brave individuals, despite facing the harsh and arduous conditions of border duty, consistently ensure the safety of the nation and its people. The Defence Minister's acknowledgment of their sacrifices and resilience was both heartening and inspiring.
In a poignant moment during his visit to Tawang, Rajnath Singh participated in the age-old tradition of Shastra Puja, underscoring the festival's symbolic significance of good triumphing over evil. In his address to the assembled troops, he eloquently depicted the righteousness and dharma embodied by the steadfast personnel of the Armed Forces as a living testament to the ethos of the Vijayadashmi festival.
Furthermore, Singh emphasized the pivotal role played by the Armed Forces in elevating India's standing on the global stage. He recounted his recent visit to Italy, where he paid homage at the Montone memorial in the Perugia Province, dedicated to Naik Yashwant Ghadge and other Indian soldiers who had valiantly fought in World War II to liberate Montone. The fact that both Indians and Italians honor the memory of these brave warriors attests to the global recognition of the valor of Indian soldiers.
In light of the current international context, Rajnath Singh underscored the imperative to bolster the country's security apparatus. He reiterated that the government is actively working to enhance India's military capabilities through the indigenous production of defense equipment. With pride, he mentioned the remarkable strides made under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards achieving self-reliance in defense. India has transitioned from a reliance on imports for military upgrades to domestic manufacturing of numerous major weapons and platforms. Foreign companies are being encouraged to collaborate and share their technology for in-country production. He highlighted the impressive growth in defense exports, which has evolved from a mere Rs 1,000 crore in 2014 to exporting defense equipment worth thousands of crores today.
Rajnath Singh's visit also included a poignant moment at the Tawang War Memorial, where he laid a wreath and paid his respects to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1962 war. His visit was joined by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command Lt Gen RP Kalita, GOC, 4 Corps Lt Gen Manish Erry, and other senior officers of the Indian Army.
Notably, on the preceding Monday, Rajnath Singh paid a visit to the 4 Corps Headquarters at Tezpur in Assam. During this engagement, he thoroughly reviewed the operational readiness of this formation, which is positioned in one of the easternmost regions of India. Singh received comprehensive briefings on the ongoing infrastructure development initiatives along the LAC and the deployment of cutting-edge military equipment and technology to enhance the operational efficiency of the troops stationed on the frontlines. In his commendation, he lauded the stellar work and yeoman service being rendered by all ranks of the Corps, despite the challenging and demanding conditions they face.
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