Tuesday, 27 June 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami felicitated those who had taken part in the struggle against the imposition of emergency in the country in a programme organised at his residence on Monday. Terming them as ‘soldiers of democracy’ the CM said that the government has taken a decision to increase their pension from Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. A decision to give pension to their dependents has also been taken, he said. Dhami said that awareness about the role and contribution of soldiers of democracy would be spread.
The CM said that he is fortunate to honour those who saved democracy during the emergency. He added that the nation would never forget their sacrifice. He said that when an emergency was imposed in the country, its opposition was not only limited to the political people but everyone was against it.
He said that one can understand the importance of democracy only when the democratic rights are snatched away. A joint federation of students was formed by the students of Lucknow, BHU and Allahabad University during the emergency which was supported by Jai Prakash Narayan and leaders like Nanaji Deshmukh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The CM said that the protests and struggles culminated in reestablishment of democracy in the country.
The CM said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work in empowering every section of society is being done.
Speaking on the occasion, former CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that the new generation should know about the efforts made by the soldiers of democracy during the emergency and programmes at district level should be organised for this. Appreciating Dhami, the veteran leader said that it is good he respects elderly. He said that the blessings of elderly and the soldiers of democracy are with Dhami for his long tenure and development of the State.
The soldiers of democracy shared their experiences of emergency on the occasion.
The president of Uttarakhand Loktantra Senani Sangathan, KK Agarwal, general secretary Girish Kandpal, Ranjit Singh Jyala and others were present on the occasion.
