Address at the Inauguration of the Chandigarh War Memorial

Nobility in Service

"Prime of your youth given to the nation, 
We pray for you brave men"

I am honoured to participate on this historic occasion of the inauguration of the Chandigarh War Memorial. This is an important event, as we remember our gallant soldiers, who since our Independence in 1947 had laid down their lives in 13 different operations of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Their names are here before you, engraved in granite, so that they will be remembered through many centuries, as brave and dignified souls who sacrificed their lives, so that the future generations can live in honour, peace and prosperity.

Noble initiative

I appreciate the creation of this War Memorial through a Citizens? initiative led by the Indian Express Group of Newspapers which has now become a reality. A notable feature of this project is that the part of the funds raised for the War Memorial will be used for upgrading schools and hospitals in rural areas where the martyr soldiers belong.

India's history is tied to its geography.

The people of this strategically important region of our nation have, from time immemorial, earned the respect and gratitude of the entire nation, by their valour, bravery and sacrifice, defending the country and its democratic, cultural and spiritual heritage, against repeated waves of invasion and alien rule over the centuries. Why then this occasion is so very important today? Just two days ago, the nation had celebrated its 60th Independence Day. From the time of our independence, the people of this region have sacrificed 8459 lives to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our nation, and we are honouring them today. The sacrifices of the people of this region over the centuries can well be imagined, as well as their continuing readiness to defend this sacred land and its cultural heritage. Therefore, it would be useful to look back a little into our history. India?s history is intimately tied to its geography and this region is one among the strategic front of our nation.

After the first pre-historic human settlements, complex and sophisticated cultures were established in India for 2500 years. Thereafter, for the next 2300 years, our country was repeatedly invaded and occupied in three waves for about 1325 years across its land borders from Europe, West Asia and Central Asia. Then fourth wave arrived with the British and other European powers, lasting 227 years from across the seas. The first freedom movement led by Chandragupta Maurya lasted 246 years; the second freedom movement led by Chandragupta II lasted 681 years. The third freedom movement started only 60 years ago led by Mahatma Gandhi. What is important for us is to note that the Independence we are now celebrating is the result of third freedom movement.

So let us resolve today that we shall work with great unity, and singular determination, with a vision to make our nation, and all its States, not only rich and prosperous, but above all, a safe nation, invulnerable forever to invasion across its borders: on land, sea and air and further into history, to aggression from space. Always country has to guard itself, the another way of soft aggression against the technology and market forces.

Our nation has sown the seeds of tolerance and friendship among all the peoples of the world for centuries. Over the ages, it has contributed to the world both in material and spiritual progress, emphasizing the fundamental need of man - to understand himself, before he attempts to understand others. Truth is man's nature; to be untrue is to be false to one's nature. I am speaking to you now about the true nature of man, so that you may make an all-out effort to guard it and develop it in the manner for which we are renowned. The whole nation knows that the devotion of this region is not confined to the boundaries of this State alone, but it has been expressed as service to the whole nation, in many fields of social and economic endeavour, at all levels and in many national and State institutions. This region has done so not only in ancient times, but more so after we regained our sovereignty and independence 60 years ago. Let your devotion be linked with duty and led by discipline; then, success is certain.

Let me recall few verses in gratitude of service given by soldiers during my visit to Kargil last year.

"My dear soldiers"

Oh! Defenders of borders,

You are great sons and daughters of my land,

Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes,

Surveillance in seas and by securing the air,

Prime of your youth given to the nation,

We pray for you brave men???..

The nation depends on you now, more than ever, to drive away the divisive forces that keep man away from man, and prevent hearty co-operation and mutual help.

Righteousness in the heart

When there is righteousness in the heart, you learn to live with other men, and share your joys and sorrows with other. This leads to harmony in the home, for then you live together in amity, and then the village will be happy and safe. When there is harmony in the home, and the villages are well knit and strong, it leads to order in the State, and the nation too will then be orderly, strong and impregnable. Only then can India bring peace to the world.

National Awakening

We have won our freedom not only by the sacrifices of the valiant people from this region, but from all regions of the nation who had to live through nearly a century of united struggle for freedom from alien rule. Those noble and brave souls had visualized politics as a national movement towards noble ideals and goals. Let us now take the opportunity to reawaken the same spirit of the Freedom Movement, visualize politics as a national Development Movement for realizing a safe, prosperous and happy India by 2020.

Conclusion

On this occasion of inauguration of the Chandigarh War Memorial, let me conclude my Address with the stirring war cry of the 19 battalions of the Punjab Regiment, a cry that evoked valour and courage: ?Bolo Sri Nihal, Sat Sri Akal? which means, "He who cries God is Truth, is ever happy"

May God bless you.