Pays homage to martyrs of Bangladesh war on Vijay Diwas
PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the atrocities against the Hindu community in Bangladesh have inflicted a blow on human values and humanity.
He said that about 3,900 Indian soldiers were martyred in the 1971 war which was fought to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan. The CM said that it is unfortunate that Bangladesh is now abusing our country under the influence of communal forces.
The CM was addressing a programme organised to mark Vijay Diwas celebrations at Gandhi Park on Monday. Paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of 1971 war, the CM said that the
Indian soldiers not only protected the integrity and self-respect of the nation but also inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy. He said that on December 16, 1971, about one lakh Pakistani soldiers surrendered before our army and it is recorded as a unique event in the military history of the world.
The CM said that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country in 2014, our army is responding to bullets with shells at the border. He said that efforts are being done to make the Indian Army strong and self-reliant in every field.
The CM said that the Uttarakhand government is committed to the welfare of soldiers and their families. He said that the state government has increased the grant given to soldiers and their dependents and it has decided to give priority to the dependents of martyred soldiers in jobs under the state government. He added that the lump sum grant amount given to soldiers awarded with gallantry medals has also been increased.
Referring to the current situation in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said that we are concerned about the Hindus living in Bangladesh. He said that the Indian government has informed the interim government of Bangladesh about its concerns. The CM said that India has always been in favour of peace and tolerance, but warned that our goodwill should not be taken as a weakness.
Dhami announced that the brave wives and mothers of the martyred soldiers of the state will be allowed free transport in the buses of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. In the ceremony the CM felicitated the brave soldiers and Veer Naris.
Soldier welfare minister Ganesh Joshi, urban development minister Premchand Agarwal , MLA Khajan Das, director soldier welfare Brigadier (retd) Amrit Lal Major General ( retd) Sammy Sabarwal, senior officers of administration and others attended the ceremony.
