Bijapur, September 25: Acclaiming the exemplary service of the armed forces in protecting India’s sovereignty and ensuring peace, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that Indian soldiers, who were ever-vigilant, have been sending a clear message to inimical forces of the country’s strength and ability to defend its borders.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Sainik School here, he said that defence personnel were serving in hostile and extremely adverse conditions only to see that the people of the country lived in peace.
“Our soldiers are not only battling the enemy but also tough natural conditions. They are even sacrificing their sleep for us. The soldiers have never let this country down, in any adverse situation,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
The President said that the gallant soldiers also ensured law and order during internal conflicts.
Asserting that the Sainik Schools in the country have made remarkable contribution to the defence forces, Mr. Mukherjee said that the schools have laid an impregnable and indestructible foundation for the disciplined armed forces.
Iterating that India has over 5,000 years of cultural civilisation that preaches respect to a plural society, respect to elders and above all, a great sense of patriotism, the President said that there was a need to take these ever-worthy beliefs to the young, through education.
He advised the Sainik School students never to forget the teachings of their teachers while discharging their duties.
Earlier, in his address, Governor Hansraj Bharadwaj said that Karnataka has given some of the best soldiers to the nation, including Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Sainik School here was a launching pad for Kannadigas to join the defence forces. “We are proud that we have hundreds of officers in the defence forces from the State,” he said.
Ministers M.B. Patil, S.R. Patil and Kimmane Ratnakar, MP Ramesh Jigajinagi, Deputy Commissioner Shivayogi Kalasad and Sainik School principal R. Balaji were present.
