Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra on Friday said Indian Army’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war is the golden chapter in India’s military history, reflecting the power of the country’s soldiers and its top military leadership.
“The present national leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciates the strength of the Indian armed forces and has initiated many reforms. The government is taking all necessary steps to equip the Indian Armed Forces with the state-of-art weapon platform and war equipment,” the governor said.
The Governor was addressing a function to commemorate the 1971 Indo-Pak War at the 18th Battalion Madras Regiment’s unit in New Delhi. The Battalion was awarded with Theatre Honour ‘Sindh’ in the 1971 war for its exceptional war success of making a deep thrust on the Western Front (The Thar Desert of Sindh Province of Pakistan.)
Mishra, who was himself commissioned in the 18th Battalion of Madras Regiment (18 Madras) on December 17, 1961, also addressed a special Sainik Sammelan on the occasion.
He complimented the troops for their devotion to duty and patriotism and for their conspicuous grit and élan. The Governor advised the officers and men to maintain discipline, train themselves hard for physical fitness and field crafts and build bonhomie with the civil population wherever they are posted.
“If you are determined, then you will be successful in all your military endeavors,” he told the jawans.
The Governor also recalled his days as a young officer in the Battalion and said that the Madras Regiment is the Indian Army’s oldest regiment, formed in the 18th century.
It has played an active part in many campaigns, both as part of the British Indian Army and as the army of Independent India. ‘Thambis, as they are popularly known, have always been known for their valour, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.
Earlier in the day, the Governor laid a wreath at the War Memorial of the 18th Battalion of the Madras Regiment and attended a special ‘Barakhana’ with the troops.
18 Madras commanding officer Col OLV Naresh briefed the Governor on the war fitness and other achievements of the units.