Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat felicitated 140 candidates hailing from Uttarakhand with a cash reward of Rs 50,000 each and a citation certificate for getting selected to undergo rigorous training in Indian Military Academy (IMA) and National Defence Academy (NDA) in the presence of Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat at a function held at Chief Minister’s residence, here on Sunday.
The higher education department felicitated 140 candidates selected for IMA, and NDA between 2014 and 2018. The relatives of Victoria cross awardee Gabbar Singh Negi, Darban Singh Negi, Veer Chander Singh Garhwali, former COAS Gen BC Joshi and Baba Jaswant Singh along with Captain Priya Sharma Semwal for being commissioned into army after her husband’s death, Sangeeta Mall, Wing Commander Anupma Joshi (retd) and Naval officer Vatirka Joshi’s mother Alpana Joshi were felicitated along with families of third generation defence personnel during the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat said that he is feeling elated for organizing the felicitation function for defence personnel at his residence. He assured that his government was fully committed towards the welfare of defence personnel and their relatives. He said Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has given the responsibility of important department like defence to Nirmala Sitharaman, which gives a message that country’s daughters are capable to handle any challenges and are trustworthy. He said that defence officers are welcome at any time to seek any help from the state government. He further said that the doors of his house are always open for any help to defence personnel.
Addressing to gathering, Nirmala Sitharaman has said that Uttarakhand is not only known as ‘Devbhoomi’ but also as ‘Veerbhoomi’. She said defence personnel from Uttarakhand have won many gallantry awards. She said that brave soldiers from the state had won most coveted ‘Victoria Cross’ medal and other gallantary medals besides having families of third generation serving defence personnel. COAS Gen Bipin Rawat is from Uttarakhand and most of the families in the state have one member serving in the defence forces. Uttarakhand plays a pivotal role in safeguarding nation frontiers, she added. She said that the blessed land of Uttarakhand known as ‘Devbhoomi’ and ‘Veerbhoomi’ is also blessed by “Bharat Mata”.
Addressing the selected NDA and IMA candidates, Defence Minister said that they would soon become part of the hi-tech army in near future. She spoke on efforts taken by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in upgrading the army, navy and air force. She said Indian army is always prepared to deal with any challenge. After applauding NIM director Col Ajay Kothiyal for imparting pre-commission training to army aspirants, Defence Minister has said that Col Kothiyal is a self-motivated person and a source of aspiration for others. She said government is committed to assist defence personnel and their families. She announced to set up a command hospital in mountainous region of the state.
Uttarakhand Higher Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat speaking on the occasion, said that Uttarakhand has a contribution of 18 percent in the army. The state plays an important role in safeguarding the nation. He said government is committed for the welfare of defence personnel and their relatives. He said government would impart free of cost training to 50 aspirants for NDA and IMA training courses from the state, whose family income is less than Rs three lakh annually. He said that Uttarakhand is country’s first state to provide employment to next of kin of martyrs.
COAS Gen Bipin Rawat, Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah, MLA Ganesh Joshi, and Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh addressed gathering during the function. Ajay Bhatt, BJP State Chief and others were present on the occasion.
