By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 14th August 23
“If anyone tries to cast an evil eye on India, our Armed Forces will give a befitting reply,” said Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh during his customary radio message to India’s soldiers on August 14, 2023, on the eve of India’s 77thIndependence Day.
Addressing the unasked question of where the army is going to get the weapons to respond to the challenges it faces, Rajnath said: “The Armed Forces can give their best only when they are provided with the best equipment and training. These steps boost the morale of the soldiers, help them overcome challenges and emerge victorious.”
“Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to provide the military with world-class equipment and training, so that the country can overcome all future challenges. New branches and trades are being created according to the new emerging needs,” said the defence minister.
Addressing the many unasked questions relating to veterans’ welfare measures in recent years, Rajnath gave a pro forma response: “Taking care of those who care for us by risking their lives is our responsibility. The government has taken several measures in the last nine years to empower the soldiers after their retirement,” he said.
The defence minister claimed that the government had fulfilled the army, navy and air force’s long-pending demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) as soon as it came to power in 2014. “The scheme has been revised this year and an amount of Rs 8,413 crore has been paid to more than 17 lakh pensioners,” he said.
On the role of women in the military, Rajnath claimed to have taken concrete steps to make the military an equitable and better workplace for women, including in combat units.
“The Indian Army has inducted women officers into the artillery regiment for the first time this year. [This] is a great testimony to the steps being taken by our government towards gender equality in the Army,” said the defence minister.
On admitting 1,600 girls to Sainik Schools, Rajnath said: “This would further increase the participation of brave daughters in the defence of the nation and they would achieve greater heights in the times to come.”
Rajnath Singh did not fail to mentioning the National War Memorial built by the government in New Delhi, terming it the nation’s tribute to its bravehearts.
Expressing gratitude to our soldiers, he said, “On this occasion of 77th Independence Day, whether you are standing on the snowy peaks of Kargil where there is lack of oxygen to breathe, whether you are in a submarine in the deep sea, whether you are standing in the hot desert of Thar, or whether you are standing in the middle of evergreen forests in the north-east of India, wherever you are, I want to say that you all reside in the hearts of 140 crore Indians.”
Is there any level of evil eye which would elicit a befitting reply - also what does this actually mean ?
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