Remember the massive uproar against Pakistan when two of our BSF soldier’s heads were cut off? BJP wouldn’t stop choking the Congress speakers at public debates for days after it. Apparently, an operation was carried out to avenge those soldiers, called Operation Ginger, as reported by The Hindu. When recently debated on this particular topic, one of Congress’s spokesperson responded to it saying they didn’t want to pat their own or the army’s back. The then UPA government did not leave one opportunity to appreciate itself and the Gandhi family (like MNREGA) which makes us doubtful if the government ordered or even knew about such a strike. This is exactly where the current government differs and differs well.
When Modi gave a heart warming speech on Friday at the Shaurya Memorial inauguration ceremony in Bhopal, many eyes shed tears all around the nation.
Very few people understand what serving in the armed forces feel like. Far less is the number of Prime Ministers in this country who feel what every army man feels, and Modi is one of those prime ministers (Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Bahadur Shastri appear as others). With just one brilliant speech, Modi might have had boosted the morale of the forces tremendously. Sometimes, the army needs a little appreciation, a little acknowledgement, from the civilians for whom they’ve been laying down their lives to protect. It is highly illogical to not tell the nation, which was already agitated against Pakistan, how our brave army avenged our martyrs. This is why Modi is de facto supreme leader of the armed forces (Constitutionally, it’s the president).
Out of several important things Modi said during his 43-minute speech, these few points which he made, lingers in our minds the most. (Modi’s statements are the bold sentences in each paragraph)
Watch Full speech:
When Jammu and Kashmir saw the worst floods in decades, Indian Army came to the rescue. Knowing that these are the people brainwashed into hating their own country, that these people throw and injure you every day, they saved thousands of civilians, without any grudge. They save the people, they try to maintain peace and harmony for their own benefits, and yet they are pelted stones upon.
Our ancestors never invaded any other country, ever. In the course of 2500 years of recorded history, India or more appropriately, Bharatvarsh has never invaded any other country for even an inch of land. Sadly, we have always been invaded. But today, our highly capable armed forces keep all invaders and the enemies of our country at bay. We must thank them for this.
One and half lakh Indian soldiers died during the two World Wars
It was not our war. We expected nothing from the result, but our men were called to fight against tyranny, and they did valiantly. The world doesn’t remember our contribution anymore. Even we don’t.
A huge part of The United Nation’s peacekeeping force, is the Indian Armed Forces. Indian Armed Forces have fought many battles overseas in the name of keeping peace. It is providing a valuable benefactor and offering to the world.
Indian Army rescued some of the Pakistani Citizens from Yemen during its rescue operation Indians
Over the years Indian Army has successfully conducted a large number of rescue operations but when it comes to humanity, it knows no enemy. Such should be the army of every nation.
After the Uri Attack, the media and the opposition bashed the Defense Minister as well as the army for not saying anything. Army does not speak, it acts
We promised in the manifesto, that we will bring One Rank One Pension scheme, and so we did. The BJP government kept its promise of OROP, but it did not stop there. The 7th CPC for the armed forces is not based directly on 6th CPC, but on OROP applied to 6th CPC which provided fair and satisfactory increase in the salary of our brave heroes. Also, the disability certificate of the soldiers was difficult to obtain with different percentages of disabilities, causing inappropriate treatment, which is now removed and these brave soldiers who lost their body functionalities will be classified into three broad categories of 50 percent and below, 50-75 and 75 and above. This way, the entire procedure will be faster, smoother, and less difficult to the brave hearts.
When the civilians think about enjoying their lives and making a place in the society during their young age, the Jawans in the armed forces spend their youth, their peak time of life, between bullets and harsh weather. When they retire, they have a tough time finding a job and making a place in the society. To counter this, we will be employing them in skill development, with proper certification to find the job which is appropriate for them. This was perhaps the second most important step after OROP, and will aid the army men massively in their second phase of life. It will not only ensure, that the experience and skill these men gained in the years of their service be passed down to younger comrades, but also provide them with a proper living after their fighting years are over.
In various countries of the world, people get up from their seats, clap and pay respect to the soldiers when they see them pass by. Why can’t we? In every country, people understand how much these men sacrifice: their youth, their soul, they bodies, extreme weather conditions, their age of enjoying life which will never return, so that we could enjoy our life under democracy with free speech so that people like Om Puri could tell them that there was no need for them to join the army. They return various times with disabilities or worse, not returning at all. So that we don’t have to live under the rule of another Ghori. Another invader. If we can’t join the army and protect our fellow Indians, we should at least show them respect and appreciation. Let’s decide today that we’ll always take proud in our Armed Forces. We’ll show them respect, by ways possible for a civilian. Sometimes, acts as small and reassuring as claps can do wonders. Our PM understands the underlying issues regarding our brave men and is trying the best he can do for them, earlier Prime Minister’s didn’t even try. And that is why the Indian Armed Forces love him and always will.
PM Modi mentioned this beautiful poem Pushp ki Abhilasha by Makhanlal Chaturvedi, which depicts beautifully how even a flower has tremendous respect for the works of our Armed Forces.
Mujhe tod lena vanmali
Uss path par dena tum fenk
Matribhoomi par sheesh chadhane
Jis par jayen Veer Anek