“No easy hope or lies
Shall bring us to our goal,
But iron sacrifice
Of body, will, and soul.
There is but one task for all
One life for each to give
Who stands if Freedom fall?” – These apt words were accompanying the viral video of an Indian soldier braving the snowstorm when guarding the border in an unflinching manner.
(https://twitter.com/proudhampur/status/1479505350323675136?s=20)
It is no wonder that every year Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents an indebted nation by celebrating Diwali with the Indian defence forces guarding the nation bravely. In 2014, PM Modi began the tradition when he paid a surprise visit to Siachen to celebrate Diwali with soldiers posted at the world’s highest battlefield (18,875-foot glacier) and saluted the role of the armed forces in guarding the country. In 2015, PM Modi was with troops at the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa in Amritsar and laid a wreath at the venue of one of the toughest battles fought and won by Indian forces on September 22, 1965. Then onwards he has been with Jawans at Kinnaur(HP) in 2016, Gurez(J&K) in 2017, Harsil (near Kedarnath) in 2018, Rajouri(J&K) in 2019, Longewala(Raj) in 2020, and Nowshera(J&K) in 2021.
These braves have been a constant source of inspiration for one and all. Recently, ‘Operation Blue Freedom’, an expedition by the people with disabilities from across India to the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier. The pioneering expedition has brought India on the global stage as a leader in empowering Divyangjan and set a benchmark for other nations to emulate. Simultaneously, the initiative has portrayed the skill and heart of India’s Armed Forces not only on the Battlefield but off it as well. The team of people with disabilities has been trained by ‘Team CLAW’, an elite team of Former Special Forces Veterans working towards creating ecosystems for people with disabilities to thrive.
Even the scientists and entrepreneurs are inspired – the Indian Army till recently, has been importing extreme cold weather clothing and several Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items for its personnel deployed in high mountain regions. DRDO has transferred the technology of indigenous extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWS) to five Indian companies, which will not only make India self-reliant in manufacturing this clothing system, but considering the widely fluctuating weather conditions, this three-layered clothing system will equip the Indian Army for undertaking continuous operations in glacier and Himalayan peaks. It is noteworthy that India takes care of the highest military battlefield on the earth – Siachen Glacier.
These and any other indigenously developed state-of-art defence technologies not only take India towards self-reliance in critical areas but will also equip our armed forces with the latest defence arsenals
It is important for every citizen of the world’s largest, most complex, and vibrant democracy to know more about national security and participate in the debate to enhance the availability of resources to meet budgetary requirements as well as training and fill the acute shortage of combat leaders. Democracy is alive only when territorial integrity is ensured by armed forces.
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