The Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has described the establishment of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute as a big stride towards women empowerment. After unveiling the inaugural stone of this first ever institute of its kind in India, Parrikar said that the days are gone when working in armed forces was considered to be a forte of menfolk only as women are dominating in all spheres of life now. He added that as many as 3298 lady officers are working in armed forces which will definitely increase in near future with states like Punjab taking a lead in this direction. Responding to Punjab Chief Minister’s anxiety on this occasion that the number of Punjabis is fast dwindling in their recruitment in armed forces, and demand for tripling the number of seats in the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, the minister assured that he would have a sitting with the Anandpur Sahib M.P. shortly and all demands of Punjab pertaining to Defence will be considered for acceptance by December end.
Later, the Raksha Mantri visited Headquarters of Western Command at Chandimandir Cantt where he was briefed on the operational preparedness and administrative issues by Lt Gen KJ Singh, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The Raksha Mantri appreciated the degree of operational preparedness of the Command and exuded confidence that the latter will give an excellent account of itself in future whenever required in the service of the nation. He also praised Western Command’s contribution in assistance to civilian administration especially on occurrence of natural/man made disasters. He highlighted the excellent work of Western Command being carried out for local population in the terrorist affected areas of Jammu and Kathua region of J&k. After the visit, Raksha Mantri proceeded to Air Force Station Chandigarh from where he was seen off by the Army Commander and other civil dignitaries.