Governor Mangubhai Patel said that the entire country bows down to the brave heroes of Vijay Diwas. The nation is forever indebted to those families who sacrificed their sons for the motherland. I salute every soldier who sacrificed his life fighting till his last breath. He urged the people of the state to move forward and co-operate in efforts to achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Patel was addressing the Vijay Diwas programme organised by Indian Veterans Organisation, an ex-servicemen organisation, at Shaurya Smarak. He paid floral tributes to the brave martyrs on Vijay Divas at Shaurya Smarak. National President of the organization Captain Joginder Singh Sengar was present on this occasion.
The Governor said that 52 years ago, during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, the brave sons of Mother India had liberated Bangladesh by defeating Pakistan. More than 90 thousand Pakistani soldiers surrendered under the leadership of Field Marshal General Manek Shaw. He said that a soldier is never an ex “Once a soldier, always a soldier”. Post retirement, the responsibility of soldiers towards the society increases further. Ex-servicemen should work to educate the society and youth with their experience, discipline and spirit of patriotism. Also, while playing the role of protective shield of the society, they must develop indigenous and self-reliance among the youth.
Governor Patel appreciated the efforts of the Indian Veterans Organisation for the welfare of soldiers, war injured, differently abled soldiers including widows of soldiers and their dependents. He said that the organisation should give priority to the work of helping ex-servicemen, their families and deprived sections of rural areas. The Governor said that the society and nation which respects its martyrs and learns from their principles and works always moves towards prosperity.
Patel said that the society should respect all the martyrs, their families and soldiers. We should be everready to provide them all possible assistance. He honoured the wives of martyred soldiers and brave women in the programme. He presented trophies to the representatives of the organization from different states.
Patel was welcomed with bouquet and a red cap symbolizing the organization at the beginning of the programme. He was felicitated with a memento. A group from Indore gave a cultural presentation based on Krishna Bhakti and students from Chhindwara gave a cultural presentation based on Ganesh Vandana. National President of the organization Captain Joginder Singh Sengar gave the welcome address and Anil proposed the vote of thanks. President of Madhya Pradesh unit Captain R.P. Singh, differently abled soldiers from across the country, veterans, ex-servicemen and servicemen and their families were present.
