Rajnath: People should feel responsible, rather than feel like free riders on the journey of progress in India
Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, urged people to participate in the country’s journey of progress by saying, “We are not free riders in this journey, but responsible riders.”
As he addressed a gathering at the National War Memorial Complex after launching the “Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot” website for contributions to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF), Singh said it is our moral responsibility to assist those who protect our country.
By rising above the spirit of personal and institutional fame, prestige, and honour, we are able to work for the welfare of our country, our society, and our soldiers. The nation has provided us with a great deal. The nation is now waiting for us to offer something to it,” he said.
Whether anyone feels it or not, we should feel that in the development journey of our country, we are not free riders… but responsible riders,” Singh said, adding: “It is our responsibility to ensure that we have an active role in nation-building.”
To honour the sacrifices of soldiers and their families, Singh urged the people to donate “generously”.
An official statement from the Ministry of Defence reads: “The AFBCWF is a Tri-Service fund, which grants immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who die or are grievously injured during active military operations.”
Despite the fact that the Government has implemented a large number of welfare programs for soldiers killed or disabled during active combat operations, citizens, corporate heads, banks and industry leaders have expressed their desire to contribute to the welfare of soldiers and their families. People will be able to contribute directly to the fund through the website. A certificate of online contribution may also be downloaded,” the statement stated.
The “Goodwill ambassador” of the new initiative is Amitabh Bachchan.
Several senior civil and military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, were also present. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Vijoy Kumar Singh, Vice Admiral of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, as well as Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra.
