Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Army will never “forgive” the country if it is found “sleeping” when it should be awake, in comments that come against the backdrop of the recent surgical strikes.
He asserted that the army does not believe in speaking but in displaying its valour.
“Our Army is happiest when we sleep in peace. They have no complaint. But they will never forgive us if we sleep when we should be awake. Unfortunately, we have been found sleeping when we should have been awake.
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. We have to keep alert always. It will be injustice to the army if we sleep away when we have to be awake,” he said without elaborating.
Describing the Indian Army the most disciplined defence force in the world, he recalled “Our soldiers had rescued citizens of other countries including those of Pakistan besides Indians trapped in war-torn Yemen”. “This is the example of humanity of Indian Army”, he added.
The PM also recalled sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during two world wars, saying that around 1.5 lakh Indian jawans laid down their lives then though the wars had nothing to with India. He also recounted that India is one of the biggest contributors to the UN peacekeeping forces, deployed in strife-torn countries.
“The world needs to be reminded of this repeatedly,” he said. Addressing ex-servicemen and their families at the inauguration of ‘Shaurya Smarak’ (memorial to valour) here, he devoted his speech hailing the role of armed forces and their spirit of sacrifice in adverse situation.
“Our army does not speak but displays its valour. When I would say this earlier, they (critics) would tear my hair out. They would say Modi is sleeping and doing nothing. Like our army which does not speak but displays its valour, our Defence Minister also does not speak...” he said with a pause.
