NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday conducted the “Shastra Puja” (worship of weapons) in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, and celebrated Dussehra with soldiers stationed in the strategically vital region near the border with China. Accompanied by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, Singh conducted a thorough review of India’s military preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. He praised the troops for their unwavering commitment and exceptional courage in guarding the border, emphasizing the necessity of strengthening the country’s security apparatus in the current global context.
After visiting Bum-La and other forward posts, Singh affirmed the importance of enhancing national security given the prevailing global scenario. He marked Dussehra, a festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil, by performing “Shastra Puja” at a military base near the LAC. Singh also paid homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1962 war with China at the Tawang war memorial.
Tawang, a significant Buddhist center, holds strategic importance, prompting India to bolster its military infrastructure in the area. Singh expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their unyielding spirit and assured them of the nation’s pride in their service. He highlighted efforts to enhance India’s military capabilities through indigenous production of defense equipment, emphasizing the shift from reliance on imports to domestic production and technology sharing with foreign companies.
Singh praised the armed forces’ righteousness and commitment, crediting them for India’s rising global stature. He shared his experiences from a visit to the Montone memorial in Italy, underscoring the international recognition of Indian soldiers’ bravery. Singh was briefed on LAC infrastructure development and the deployment of advanced military equipment, reflecting the continuous efforts to enhance operational efficiency.
India and China have been engaged in a standoff in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh for over three years. India has emphasized the importance of peace in border areas for normalizing ties with China, leading to increased troop deployment and weaponry along the LAC, including in the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sectors.
