Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that Dogras played an important role in defending the North Eastern borders and right from the days of British Raj till recent past, whenever the North Eastern borders were faced with a war situation or a war – like situation, invariably there was a deployment of the soldiers from the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army, which traces its roots to the 17th Dogra Regiment of the British Indian Army.
Speaking after the formal release and launch of the book titled ‘Life and Culture in North East’ and panel discussion on ‘Valiant Dogras’, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Dogras have a history and tradition of being one of the strongest martial races even in the undivided India and in the Indian subcontinent . He said, the legends and exploits of General Zorawar Singh are part of history and folklore.
Even in recent decades, in the early 1960s, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled, there are several anecdotes and stories of Dogra Army soldiers and Infantry men having bravely fought in the NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency), as it was known at that time, during the Chinese aggression. Dogra soldiers, he said, have made a mark in all the major war theaters across the world, both in times of peace and in times of war.
Complementing the illustrious researcher and author Shiv Kunal Verma and distinguished journalist Dipti Bhalla Verma for having authored the book, Dr Jitendra Singh said although the eight States of the North Eastern Region comprise only 8% of India’s landmass, yet they are home to nearly 200 tribes, each of which has its own culture. The book provides an extensive history, culture and landscape of different parts of the North Eastern region, said Dr Jitendra Singh and added that there is much for the rest of India to learn from the North Eastern Region, particularly the manner in which they have traditionally maintained high human development indicators including literacy, gender equality and women emancipation. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ‘Act East Policy’ gives the North Eastern Region a special place in India’s strategic and foreign engagement priorities, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh also lauded the manner in which one of the earliest decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to finalise the Indo-Bangla Agreement for the exchange of enclaves, which facilitated easy connectivity and cost-effective transport to the North Eastern Region from other parts of the country. This, he said, should have happened at least four decades back and by correcting this anomaly, the Modi Government has brought in ease of business for North Eastern Region with surrounding regions.
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