LatestRegional (M.P & C.G)

PM talks of strong nation, ‘very special’ Dussehra post-LoC operations

New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that this year’s Vijaya Dashami — a festival that marks the victory of good over evil — is “very special” for the country, in an apparent reference to India’s successful military action against terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He said that a “very capable” armed force is a must for a strong nation.

“We will celebrate Vijaya Dashami (on Tuesday). This year’s Vijaya Dashami is very special for the country,” he said, evoking a thunderous applause from the audience at a function at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi.

“Being strong does not mean being against anyone. If we exercise for our strength, the neighbour need not worry (thinking) that it is to target him,” the PM said in an oblique reference to Pakistan and India’s effort to modernize its military.

Tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours soared after the September 18 Uri attack by Pakistan-based terrorists that led to surgical strikes by India across the LoC about 10 days ago, with the two armies exchanging fire and mortars across the LoC in Kashmir almost every day.

The PM released a compendium of 15 books on the life and teachings of former Jana Sangh chief Deendayal Upadhyay whose birth centenary year is being celebrated by the BJP.

Quoting Mr Upadhyay, the PM said that an exceptionally strong military was needed for a strong nation. “In today’s time of competitiveness, the nation should be capable and strong,” he said.

Referring to Upadhyay, he said even Ram Manohar Lohia spoke about the Jana Sangh leader’s efforts that led to the evolution of an alternative to Congress in 1967.

The PM said as a tribute to Upadhyay, who talked of integral humanism, his government was making the poorest of the poor the focus of schemes evolved by it. “The biggest contribution of Deendayalji is organisation- based political parties and not just a party run by a handful of individuals. This was the identity of Jana Sangh and BJP,” he said.

“In a short span of time, one party completed the journey from ‘vipaksh’ to ‘vikalp’ and this was due to foundations laid by Deendayalji,” the PM said.

BJP President Amit Shah and RSS’ second-in-command Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi spoke on the need for strengthening India’s security.

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