look news india
Diwali, the great festival of light and joy, is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, and on this auspicious occasion, the process of paying tribute to the sacrifice of border guards continues. In this sequence, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reached the historical military station located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Reaching the prestigious ‘Ranbankura Division’ located within Bikaner Cantonment, he lit the lamp along with the brave officers and jawans of the Indian Army and shared the festive cheer. The Union Minister fed sweets to the soldiers on the front with his own hands and sent hearty greetings to the entire military family on the occasion of Diwali. When the country’s security guards stay hundreds of miles away from their homes and family and guard the borders, then the country’s top leadership reaching out among them and celebrating the festival increases the morale of the soldiers manifold.
In this special program organized in the premises of Ranbankura Division, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal established a very intimate and direct communication with the soldiers. He said that the entire country is able to celebrate the festival of lights in the safe environment of their homes only because our brave soldiers ensure the unwavering security of the borders in the scorching heat and harsh cold of the desert. Meghwal wholeheartedly appreciated the indomitable courage, dedication and spirit of nation first of the soldiers. Smiles and enthusiasm were clearly visible on the faces of the soldiers after finding the Union Minister among them. During this, the army officers welcomed the Union Minister with traditional military dignity and the lamp of Diwali was lit in a cordial atmosphere in the cantonment area.
During the interaction with the soldiers, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal specifically mentioned the most talked about topic in the defense sector i.e. ‘Agniveer Yojana’. Addressing the soldiers, he discussed the policy reforms taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described the decision to increase the service period of Agniveer Yojana from four years to six years as a historic and visionary step. Meghwal said that keeping in mind the interests of the youth and the army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that the Agniveers will now get a wide and strong opportunity to join the army permanently. He termed this move as a big ‘Diwali gift’ from the Central Government for all the firefighters and defense forces.
Clarifying the background of the scheme, the Union Minister told the soldiers that in the earlier provisions, the main option was to join the central paramilitary forces and other areas after completion of the service period, but now their permanent role in the Indian Army itself has been further expanded. During his address, the Union Law Minister, while interacting directly with the soldiers present, asked whether this decision is good or there is still a need for some kind of amendment in it. On this, the soldiers present in the auditorium unanimously and loudly welcomed this decision with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and described it as extremely positive. Meghwal said that the government is completely sensitive and committed towards the welfare, security and future of the soldiers.
During this Deepotsav Milan ceremony, not only the celebrations but also the serious issues of preserving military history and local cultural heritage were discussed in detail. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with senior military commanders of Bikaner Military Station, reviewed the detailed concept and progress of the proposed ‘Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Museum’ in the area. He sat with military officials and took stock of various technical and historical aspects of the project. Lieutenant General Sagat Singh is counted among the greatest and courageous commanders of the Indian Army, who played a historic and decisive role in the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and the Nathu La conflict of 1967.
Meghwal said that the holy land of Bikaner has always been the land of warriors and sacrifices, and the Sagat Singh Museum to be built here will become the most powerful medium to introduce the coming generations to the bravery stories of the Indian Army. This museum will prove to be an epoch-making initiative towards preserving the rich military history of Bikaner and Rajasthan, modern war strategies and the indomitable sacrifice of the soldiers. He assured the military officers present that all possible administrative and financial assistance will be provided by the Central Government on priority basis to complete the construction work of this grand museum in a time bound manner.
In the final phase of his address, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared his personal and emotional connect with the soldiers. He told that he had resolved many years ago that his first public and family duty every Diwali would be to stand with the border guards. Fulfilling this resolve, whenever he steps on the soil of his parliamentary constituency Bikaner on the occasion of Diwali, his first official and intimate program is to reach out to the army soldiers.
He said that it is the sacred duty of politicians, officials and every citizen of the country to start their festivals with the respect of those soldiers who sacrifice the happiness of their families and are deployed to protect the integrity of the country. After lighting the lamp and distributing sweets, the Union Minister posed for group photographs with the soldiers and while sitting with them and drinking tea, he also inquired about the well-being of their home areas and family members. This presence of the Union Minister at Bikaner Military Station not only shows the country’s gratitude towards the military forces deployed on the border, but also gives the message that 140 crore countrymen stand with their brave soldiers like an unbroken family.