Gangtok, Nov 8: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday emphasised that discipline and courage remain the greatest strengths of the armed forces, asserting that even the most advanced military technology would prove ineffective without these qualities.
Addressing Army personnel at a programme held at the Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim on the occasion of Diwali, Singh said discipline was the foremost strength of soldiers and that technological advancement alone could not ensure military effectiveness without courage and discipline.
He paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation and extended festive greetings to their families.
Singh said the inspiration he drew from visiting the war memorial was beyond words. In a Facebook post, he observed that monuments were meant for the living rather than the dead, as they continued to inspire people and awaken a sense of national pride.
He said the supreme sacrifices made by soldiers would remain etched in the nation’s memory and that the country would always remain indebted to their valour.
The Defence Minister also interacted with Army personnel deployed in forward areas and challenging terrain. Describing soldiers as diyas (lamps), he said they silently fought darkness and spread the light of security to every household across the country.
Despite extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain, the soldiers continued to maintain an unwavering vigil, driven by patriotism and high morale, he said.
Singh added that celebrating Diwali with the guardians of the nation was a matter of immense pride.
He further highlighted that the conduct, uniform, language and restraint displayed by Army personnel played a significant role in shaping the image of the armed forces among local residents.
The light spread by soldiers, he said, was not limited to their respective posts but reached every household across the