On the second anniversary of the 2016 cross-LoC surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, India is observing
Parakram Parv to commemorate the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces. The three-day main event between September 28-30 has been organised at the India Gate lawns in the national capital besides similar events at 53 locations in 51 cities across the country.
Here are the highlights from the events organised across the country
to salute the heroism
of surgical strike bravehearts
:
Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi inaugurated the Parakram Parv exhibition at the military station in Rajasthan's Jodhpur district to mark the anniversary of the surgical strikes.
In the visitors' book at the Konark War Memorial, PM Modi wrote that the country is proud of its armed forces which are committed to the defence of the motherland.
Writing in Gujarati, he paid homage to martyrs who made the "ultimate sacrifice", saying they will be a source of inspiration for generations.
He also took a tour of the exhibition showcasing the combat capabilities of the Indian Army.
Modi was accompanied by Defence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje.
New Delhi
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while speaking on the event in the national capital, said: "Indian armed forces that day proved to the world that there is a very clear way to show our strength that we will not tolerate terrorists entering and creating havoc or even think of creating havoc."
Echoing her views, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said there was a need for creating a situation in which many young people and citizens are aligned with what the military is doing.
"India is a country which has never attacked any other country. This is our strength, not our weakness. The Indian military, be it on snow-clad mountains, in seas, or in air, they keep us safe and they sacrifice, even laying down their lives.
"We remember all the soldiers and officials of the Indian military, and we salute them," Rathore said.
Noting that the second anniversary of the surgical strikes is being marked as 'Parakarm Parv', Rathore recalled that two years ago, India's brave soldiers had taken revenge for terrorism inflicted on the country by going to enemy hideouts and destroying them.
"This is the face of 'new India' as the country is willing to cross all limits to protect itself," he said.
Jammu (J&K)
The Air Force Station in Jammu began a two-day static display of military assets today to commemorate the second anniversary of the 2016 surgical strikes and the 86th anniversary celebration of the Indian Air Force.
The event was organised with the aim to reach out to the students and the civil population of Jammu region and to familiarise them about the Indian Air Force in particular and the defence forces in general, defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said.
He said helicopters, remote piloted aircraft (RPA), mobile communication terminal and Air Force Garud commandos with their state-of-the-art weapons were the key attractions of the display.
Lt Col Anand said the event was inaugurated by Group Captain NK Choubey, Officiating AOC, Air Force Station, Jammu.
Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana)
Special events like movies on the life of soldiers at the LoC, exhibitions, equipment and weapons display and live training activities of mechanised forces, military band display, special outreach/cultural programmes were organised on Friday at all important military stations and cantonments in Punjab and Haryana, an official release said.
In
Jalandhar, a number of programmes spread over two days started on Friday. Lt General Dushyant Singh, the commander of 11 corps, inaugurated the event.
He said such events give this a message to the society that progress and development is ensured if borders are fully secure and inspire the youth to join the armed forces.
In Punjab's Adampur, a function was organised at Air Force Station, which saw huge participation by school children and families of the IAF personnel.
Notably, the Haryana government would hold a state-level function at Jhajjar on Saturday, where chief minister
Manohar Lal Khattar will be the chief guest.
Kochi (Kerala)
In Kochi, Southern Naval Command Chief of Staff Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni inaugurated the Parakram Parv exhibition. The exhibition being organised at the Lulu Mall has a static display of various ship and aircraft, mannequins of divers, as well as naval equipment with guides to explain the role and function of each to the visitors.
Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Nadkarni said the commemoration was to remind the public about the valour and strength of the armed forces and also to instill a sense of patriotism in the youth besides paying respects to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the honour of the country.
In addition, a number of videos on military and naval operations both during peace and war are being screened during the three-day exhibition, a Defence release said here.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
A exhibition showcasing the Defence forces' arms and ammunition and models of assets was inaugurated today as part of the nation-wide commemoration of the second anniversary of the Army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
Naval Officer-in-Charge of Tamil Nadu and Puduchery Alok Bhatnagar inaugurated the exhibition, where the public can also view a fresh video clip of the surgical strikes released by the centre on Thursday, a defence official said.
Gangtok (Sikkim)
Brigadier Ajay Mishra, Black Cat Division, inaugurated the exhibition organised by the Army here at West Point school to celebrate the second anniversary of the surgical strikes that was carried out on September 29, 2016 by the Indian Army on terror pads across LOC.
Equipment like 105 mm field guns of artillery, small arms equipment of infantry, engineering items, mountaineering gadgets, medical equipment for treatments of sick and injured during operation etc. have been put on show for the visitors.
Screening of movie on surgical strikes, motivational lecture and career counseling, information kiosks and band display are other attractions of the exhibition.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Brigadier Ajay Mishra said that it was a great moment to celebrate the anniversary of surgical strikes, as Parakram Parv in the beautiful state of Sikkim.
He said that the main idea behind the programme was to showcase their achievements and to remember the troops who have made ultimate sacrifice with their lives for the sake of the nation.
(with agencies input)
