CHANDIGARH, Mar 15: India is fully committed to maintaining peace for which effective deterrence and strong defence capability is essential, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.
“As our country is moving ahead on the path of economic progress, it is essential to preserve peace for which we need to maintain an effective deterrence and a strong defence capability,” Mukherjee said.
The president, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, said this while addressing an august gathering after a presentation ceremony of colours to Air Force Central Medical Establishment and 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here.
Noting that India was fully committed to maintain peace, Mukherjee, however, said the armed forces should be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard territorial integrity.
“As a nation, we are fully committed to maintaining peace and we are steadfast in our belief that the resolution of disputes should be through discussion.
“But at the same time, we need to be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard our territorial integrity with all our might,” he said.
Appreciating the role of the air arm of the Indian armed forces, Mukherjee said the Indian Air Force has a “critical role” to play in this effort.
Praising IAF for discharging its duty with fortitude, Mukherjee said: “The brave air warriors have been engaged in undertaking a whole range of crucial missions for the nation. They range from disaster relief operations to supporting counter insurgency operations”.
Emphasising on the role of repair mechanism in the defence sector, he said nations might have the most sophisticated platforms but their effectiveness will hinge on the quality of repairs and maintenance of aircraft and their avionics.
“The role of repair and support organisations has become more critical than ever. The aircraft we can deploy and their lethality will depend on the efficiency of such organisations, Mukherjee said referring to the three BRD here.
Prominent guests who were present on the occasion included Punjab and Haryana governor Shivraj V Patil and Jagannath Pahadia respectively, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne.
The President said both Air Force Central Medical Establishment and 3 BRD have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation.
“They have a rich history of professional excellence and have served the nation with honour and distinction,” he said.
For their devotion, professionalism and exceptional service, the nation honours them today by awarding them colours, he said.
“This is an expression of gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional services they have rendered the nation,” he said while complimenting the fraternity of the two establishments for this recognition.
The Air Force Central Medical Establishment is a premier medical establishment of the Indian Air Force.
The unit was first established by the Royal Air Force as the Central Medical Board at Lahore in 1940. The creation of the establishment was a recognition of a necessity for standardised procedures for selection and subsequent medical assessment of aircrew.
The primary role of the organisation is to provide comprehensive medical assessment of aircrew of the armed forces, paramilitary services and the civil aviation industry, Mukherjee said.
In praise of 3 BRD, which has completed fifty glorious years of service to the nation, Mukherjee said, “I am happy to know that ever since its inception in 1962, the Depot has discharged its duty zealously and functioned as a major repair and maintenance support unit of the Indian Air Force” he added.
He said that the 3 BRD is presently handling the induction of newly acquired state-of-the-art Mi-17 V5 helicopters and has also been designated as its major overhaul agency. (PTI)
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