He said the Centre has taken a decision to provide compensation to border dwellers and local residents for the land they had donated to the BSF for setting up pickets and other security establishments near the Indo-Pak border.
Photo: SNS
To commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday led a foot march in Hiranagar near the Zero Line along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan. On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh announced a slew of measures being taken by the government for the residents of border areas.
He said the Centre has taken a decision to provide compensation to border dwellers and local residents for the land they had donated to the BSF for setting up pickets and other security establishments near the Indo-Pak border. He said the district administration would work out the modalities of the compensation scheme for the distribution of financial aid to the donors.
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Joined by a large number of students, BSF jawans, youngsters, women, public representatives, local administration, and police personnel, Dr Jitendra Singh led the ‘Vande Mataram’ march from Primary School, Londhi-More, amidst chants of the National Song and beating of drums. The march culminated at Border Outpost(BOP), Tapan, near the Zero Line.
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Addressing a large gathering at BOP Tapan, Dr Jitendra Singh underscored the significance of Vande Mataram and said the National Song played a historic part in the struggle for India’s freedom.
He stated that invoking the Motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity, and divinity, Vande Mataram gave poetic expression to India’s awakening spirit of unity and self-respect. It soon became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation, he added.
The Minister underlined that in recognition of its historic importance and national significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed nationwide celebrations to mark 150 years of the National Song.
Dr Jitendra Singh said through the foot march, he wanted to express his gratitude to the soldiers for their commitment and yeoman’s service to the Motherland. Celebrating the commemoration of the National Song in the company of soldiers, he said it is a gesture of gratitude to their unwavering nationalist spirit and a reminder of the deep sense of indebtedness the nation owes to them.
He also announced that the government has decided to raise an all-woman battalion in border areas, for which recruitment would commence soon.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the year-long celebrations offer an opportunity to the present generation to understand that the essence of ‘Vande Mataram’ is not confined merely to the Independence movement but is deeply rooted in protecting and preserving India’s cultural and national identity. He further stated that since 2014, the government led by Prime Minister Modi has consistently worked to reconnect the nation with its great national heroes who laid down their lives for the motherland. He said the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the 100th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee reflects the commitment of the current dispensation to honour India’s proud heritage and remember its icons with dignity and pride.
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