Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki announced the construction of a war memorial in the Arunachal capital complex in honour of the martyrs of the 1962 India China war here today.
He was addressing the valedictory function of the three day 'Sarhad ko Swaranjali' function organized by the Sanskar Bharati Poorvottar.
"We would try to find a proper place for the construction of the memorial to pay a tribute the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice for the country and territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh," said Tuki.
Appreciating Sanskar Bharati for organizing the programme in the state, the Chief Minister said that such programme was necessary to awake the people and infuse in them the spirit of patriotism and to contribute in nation building.
"The need of the hour is to awake patriotism in us and reiterate our duties to our motherland," he said.
Felicitating 94 year old Leela Devi, mother of Jaswant Singh who came all the way from Dehradun to attend the function, Tuki expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the state and said, "your son was a true son of the soil who fought for the glory of it, and will always remain grateful as he laid down his life fighting the enemy."
Lauding the defence personnel guarding the frontier in the state, Tuki said that such programme would boost the morale of the soldiers.
At least 100 veterans and families of martyrs of the 1962 Chinese aggression from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam participated in the programme.
The families of Tagam Taki of Beging village in East Siang district who served as SSB constable and died on March 30, 2002, during the attack on Raghunath Mandir in Jammu, Krirti Chakra awardee Lance Naik Tape Yajo from Aalo and Jawan Pate Tasuk from Kurung Kumey , both of whom died in action along the Jammu and Kashmir border were honoured on the occasion.
Exhorting the children to follow the footsteps of the martyrs, the veteran actor Mukesh Khanna popularly known as Shaktimaan said, "Work hard for the development of the country and the state."
Later he administered a pledge to the children to remember with reverence the great souls, ancestors, pay homage to the brave martyrs and to do everything to defend the culture and the borders of the country with all might.
Also present during the programme were 1962 war-veteran Lt Gen (Retd) V M Patil, Dabang-2 writer renowned artistes from across the country and others.
The programme was marked by colourful cultural programmes by the participants from the North Eastern states and around 1000 school children from the capital complex gave a touching performance of 'Ay Mere Watan Ke Logon' by Lata Mangeshkar.
Earlier in the day, mother of martyr Jaswant singh and other family members were received at the Raj Bhawan along with other family members of martyrs from Arunachal Pradesh who died at service in Jammu and Kahmir. They were felicitated by the Governor Nirbhay Sharma.
"The nation will never forget the sacrifice made by the soldiers and the martyrs of the 1962" he said adding that 'Jaswant Garh in Tawang speaks for the brave deeds itself'.
"He is a legend and people in Arunachal still tell the story of his bravery to their children," he added
Sharing his experience, the governor said, "Having been a soldier and worn the military uniform for 40 years, I know that a soldier fights for his country irrespective of his religion, caste and community.
