NewzVille Desk
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the increasing use of unconventional and asymmetrical methods in today’s warfare, and exhorted the Armed Forces to always remain vigilant and ready to face any challenge. He was addressing the gathering at ‘Gaurav Gatha’, an event organised in Pune on 15 January, 2025 as part of the 77th Army Day celebrations.
“Conflicts and wars will become more violent & unpredictable. The emergence of non-state actors in many countries and their resorting to terrorism is also a matter of concern. Due to the rapid technological advancements, future wars witness a change to a great extent. Cyber and space domains are rapidly emerging as new war zones. Along with this, a war of narrative as well as perception is also being fought all over the world. The military must focus on holistic capacity building and reforms,” said Rajnath Singh.
The Defence Minister emphasised on the need of a robust security system, strong military and secure borders to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He asserted that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is constantly striving to bolster the strength of the Armed Forces by equipping them with latest weapons & platforms, and the focus is on modernisation through self-reliance.
“India is currently going through a phase of transition. We are moving forward from being a developing country to a developed one. To become Viksit Bharat, every section of society will have to contribute. But their contribution will only be meaningful when our security apparatus is fool-proof & borders are safe. The security system will be robust only when our military is strong. No nation can develop unless its military is powerful,” said Rajnath Singh.
On the occasion, the Defence Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the Army Paralympic Node, which will be established at Dighi, Pune. He expressed confidence that the Node will inspire the Divyang soldiers of the Indian Army to participate in international events such as Paralympics, Commonwealth & Asian Para Games and bring laurels to the nation.
Rajnath Singh also launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, through which the people of the country will be able to visit historical war zones easily and learn about them. A commemorative medallion marking the 352nd Coronation of Shivaji, along with a special day cover, was also released.
In a heart-warming moment, the Defence Minister also felicitated eight Veer Naris and the next of kin of brave soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifice and courage. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and various civil & military personnel were present on the occasion.
The event, organized at the Bombay Engineers Group and Centre, was a magnificent tribute to the valor and rich legacy of the Indian Army. It featured an awe-inspiring amalgamated display of lights, sounds and live actions, celebrating the evolution of the Yodha, from its mythological roots to its present-day, modern avatar – the Indian Army. It was a visual and emotional journey that captivated all in attendance.
