PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Uttarkashi
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan appreciated the role of border area residents in nation building, stating that border villages are the nation’s first line of defence. Empowering border villages is essential in national interest, he said. He said this while on a visit to Harshil in the border district of Uttarkashi on Thursday. He interacted with locals including the villagers connected with the Vibrant Village programme and also met soldiers posted in the area.
Receiving the CDS, district magistrate Prashant Arya informed him about the administrative activities, development schemes and works underway in the border areas. The CDS also unveiled the foundation for the Harshil cultural and heritage centre. He also interacted with the villagers connected with the Vibrant Village programme. The CDS then interacted with the soldiers posted in the area, appreciating the high level of operational preparedness, discipline and dedication despite the difficult geographical conditions and inclement weather. The Indian Army is ready to face all types of challenges, he said.
Visiting the Bagori village, Chauhan interacted with the locals and appreciated their role in keeping the border villages vibrant. The CDS also visited Mukhba, the winter seat of Goddess Ganga, where he offered prayers in the temple. Interacting with the locals, he appreciated their effort to keep cultural traditions alive. With the Central government also stressing on maintaining the nation’s cultural heritage, the visit of the CDS reiterated the government’s stance with focus on both national security and cultural aspects while also ensuring welfare of the local communities.
