NEW DELHI: In his monthly radio ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India staunchly believes in peace and is committed to taking it forward, but it would not happen at the cost of compromising self-respect and sovereignty. “The armed forces will give a befitting reply to any attempt being made to destroy the atmosphere of peace in the country,” Modi said and added that the 2016 surgical strike was a befitting reply to the audacity of a proxy war under the garb of terrorism.
The veiled attack on Pakistan came days after India called off the foreign affairs ministers’ talk on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York citing the killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir. Days before Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 to mark its birth in 1932, Modi said “air warriors” have proved themselves to be the cynosure of every citizen’s eye through display of sheer might in the skies.
He also recalled the contribution of the IAF in transporting men and material to Srinagar in 1947 when Pakistani attackers had tried to capture J&K and in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil war. He said be it the relief and rescue work or disaster management, the country is indebted to the IAF.
Modi asserted that India has been one of the largest contributors to various peacekeeping forces of the United Nations.”For decades, our brave soldiers wearing blue helmets have played a stellar role in ensuring maintenance of world peace,” he said.
Modi also laid emphasis on the fact that human rights were the very basis of the NDA government’s idea of ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikaas’ (collective efforts, inclusive growth). “As a society, we need to understand the importance of human rights and inculcate them into practice, this is the very basis of sabka saath, sabka vikas,” he said.
Hailing the National Human Rights Commission, which completes 25 years shortly, he said many provisions were inserted in the Constitution to protect the fundamental rights of the poor.
“The NHRC has not only protected human rights but has also promoted respect for human dignity over the years,” he said.
Modi also emphasized that inclusive growth of the country would be a perfect tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. Modi also thanked people from all walks of life for participating in Swachhta hi Sewa campaign which began on September 15 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. He also recalled the contribution of then prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi.
“Shastriji had a unique quality ... he was very humble outwardly but he was rock solid from inside. His slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ is the hallmark of his grand personality,” Modi said.