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Govt flags off 'Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan' to promote nationalism among youth

Last Updated 02 May 2017, 14:52 IST

The Government on Tuesday flagged off a nationwide campaign, ‘Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan’, to promote nationalism among youth, saying instilling of patriotism in the younger generation was “much needed” in the country.

“This is an effort to send out a message that it’s not only soldiers but every citizen and every youth of this country is responsible for the safety of the country. Spirit of patriotism is much needed today,” Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said at an event organised to launch the campaign.

Addressing the function, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar said the ‘Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan’ was the brain child of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Vijay.  The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also played a significant role in giving its shape to the campaign.

"He (Vijay) has proposed for construction of at least one 15-20 feet wall in higher educational institution campuses to display the portraits of 21 soldiers decorated with Param Vir Chakra, highest military recognition. This was actually required (in campuses),” he said. The HRD Minister, however, made it clear that the Government had not allocated any grant for the implementation of the campaign.

“Students and faculties can create ‘Wall of Valour’ in their respective campuses by collecting donations. I expect from the vice chancellors of the universities that they would voluntarily come forward to push the campaign. This much, I think, we can definitely do,” he said.

Such programmes also have potential “to change the atmosphere” of the campuses, he said in a veiled reference to the frequent protests by the leftist students at various universities including the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi over various issues.   “We do not wish to teach patriotism to any body. It is always there. But, it’s good if patriotism is re-awakened. But this should not happen by passing of any diktat,” he maintained.   

Both of the Union Ministers condemned ceasefire violation, killing of two Indian soldiers and mutilation of their bodies by the Pakistani army. “What happened yesterday was barbaric. Such things do not happen even during the war. A befitting reply will be given to them (Pakistan Army). We have faith on soldiers. We are proud of them,” Bhamre said.  

Vijay appealed to the vice chancellors of the universities and heads of other higher educational institutions to carry forward the ‘Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan’ so that the military services become the “first” career option for the students.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, who were decorated with Param Vir Chakra for their valiant action during Kargil war in 1999, shared their war memories and experiences with the audience at the event.

“We had 46 bodies including Pakistani soldier and those of Mujahiddin with us. We buried them with full rituals as our commanding officer told us that they were also fighting for their country like us. We have never done what Pakistani army do with the bodies of our soldiers. This is the difference,” the Rifleman said.

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(Published 02 May 2017, 14:52 IST)

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