New Delhi, January 14
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government had an unwavering commitment towards the welfare of the ex-servicemen and it was the collective responsibility of the citizens to treat the soldiers and their dependents as their own.
The minister was speaking during Veterans’ Rally at the Kanpur Air Force Station to mark the 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day. The day was celebrated at several locations across the country. Citing the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, when more than 90,000 soldiers of Pakistan surrendered, Rajnath said, “We could have treated them in any way we wanted, but such is our culture and tradition that we adopted a completely humanitarian attitude and sent them back with full respect. Such treatment of enemy soldiers is one of the golden chapters of humanity.”
At a separate function in New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar the acknowledged the contribution of veterans.