* Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Nov 3: Defence Minister Manohar Parikar today said that after facing defeat in face to face battles, Pakistan is engaging in a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and will be given a befitting reply.
Speaking at a function to pay homage to Major Somnath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra awardee of independent India, and other soldiers who laid down their lives while pushing back an offensive by Pakistani raiders to control Srinagar Airport in 1947, Parrikar said: “Pakistan has always been trying to occupy Jammu and Kashmir and we consider this land (Jammu and Kashmir) and its people as our integral part. After facing defeat in face to face battles, Pakistan is now engaging in a proxy war on this paradise on earth. They also targeted others parts of the country as well. Our soldiers are fighting this battle with professionalism.”
The Defence Minister, while addressing a gathering of the ex-servicemen, at the function said: “On this occasion, let us renew the pledge to give fitting reply to the proxy war and end the terrorism here.”
Parikkar said Pakistan is trying to mislead its own people and Kashmiris. “There is a popularly elected Government here, which is for the benefit of the Kashmiri people and take them on the path of development”.
The Defence Minister said the misguided youth are hitting at Kashmiriyat and destroying the future of Kashmiri children by burning the schools. “The schools are very important as the knowledge gained there will stay with the children for ever. Wealth can end but not knowledge,” he said, adding he has told the Army officers to look into the issue but the pressure should also come from the villages for saving the schools.
Parrikar said that some Pakistan sponsored anti-social elements have dealt a blow to the economy of Kashmir. “For the last four months, many anti-social elements sponsored by Pakistan — who have nothing to do with the peace-loving people of Kashmir — have dealt a blow to the economy of Kashmir,” he said.
He said the State had tremendous economic potential, especially in Information Technology and tourism sectors. “Yesterday, I went to Uri and I saw the tin-roofs over the houses. This State has the economic potential that these tin-roofs can be gold-plated if not made of gold. For that we need peace. There is huge potential in IT and tourism. The natural beauty of Kashmir is unparalleled in Valley though as I belong to Goa I will always say Goa is a little more beautiful,” he added.
Parrikar appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to give up the path of violence and contribute in nation building process.
Defence Minister said the problems of one lakh ex-servicemen about One Rank One Pension (OROP) will be resolved within two months. “Only one lakh pensioners (out of over 20 lakh Ex-servicemen) are not getting pension as per OROP due to some technical difficulty or documentation problems. We will remove these problems within coming two months”.
He said OROP is a sensitive issue as it was not implemented for the past 43 years. “We did it. Every year Rs 7500 crore (will be incurred) and Rs 11,000 crore arrears have been paid. There has been 23 to 24 per cent average increase in pension,” he added.
After listening to the problems of the ex-servicemen, Parrikar assured them that their grievances will be resolved. “Whatever has been conveyed to me today will be done by the time I come again. Today I was given 10 minutes for interaction with you but I extended it to 40 minutes. Next time I will spend half a day with you,” he said.
He said he will make all efforts to resolve the problems of the ex-servicemen. “Several of these will be solved at local level. I know the State Government reservations (benefits) are not fully extended to you and the state Government facilities are not extended to you.
“I will seek a report from the state government on this issue but Central Government facilities will also be extended. I will look into it. I will find solution to the ECHS problem also,” he said.
Paying tributes to the Major Somnath and other soldiers, Parrikar said it is a matter of pride that he has been able to come to Budgam. “Here our brave soldiers fought valiantly and made the supreme sacrifice of their lives. I am excited to see such a large number of ex-servicemen from the Valley here who have fought shoulder to shoulder with their countrymen for upholding the unity and integrity of the country.
“Today we are paying homage to Major Somnath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, and other soldiers who attained martyrdom in 1947. I pay tributes on behalf of entire nation to the martyrs. It is because of the sacrifices of these martyrs and others after them that we are able to hold our heads high with pride and live in this paradise on earth,” he said.
Parrikar was accompanied by Army chief General Dalbir Singh, to Budgam to pay homage to Major Somnath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra awardee of independent India, and other soldiers who laid down their lives while pushing back an offensive by Pakistani raiders to control Srinagar Airport in 1947.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
