Deploring attempts to politicise the defence forces, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday asserted that the armed forces were meant to report only to their regimental heads and not work at the behest of the political dispensation.
At the same time, the Chief Minister called for an immediate end to the current cult of political interference in the functioning of defence services to enable the officers and soldiers to discharge their duties efficaciously.
“This is necessary in the larger interest of the nation, and to secure its unity, integrity and security,” said Capt Amarinder addressing a distinguished gathering at the Remembrance Day ceremony to pay homage to Commonwealth nations’ armed forces members who sacrificed their lives during World War I.
“The exemplary valour and indomitable courage of all those great soldiers in preserving the ethos of freedom, liberty and democratic values had remained largely unrecognised,” Capt Amarinder lamented, pointing out that nearly 74,000 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom and 67,000 were wounded in this historic War.
While most Indians were quite aware of the sacrifices made by millions of known and unknown people in the Independence struggle, the supreme contribution of those brave men who fought in the Great War had been largely forgotten, he said while calling for aggressive propagation of the nation’s rich military history among the youth, to make them more aware about the rich and glorious legacy of the armed forces.
Underscoring the need to acclimatise the younger generation with the past events, Capt Amarinder advocated inclusion of detailed chapters on India’s contribution both, World War I and II, in school curriculum.
Earlier, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh, Andrew Ayre, lauded the role played by Indian soldiers in the War. He also complemented the role of Indian soldiers for immaculately handling the warfare in alien lands, to be honoured with prestigious 11 Victoria Crosses besides numerous other medals reflecting their professional commitment, sincerity and, above all, dedication to the cause of universal freedom and liberty.