STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen S.K Sinha on Thursday lauded the bold decision of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in ordering surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, saying this will result in a pivotal paradigm shift in India’s tactical and strategic doctrine which is immensely crucial for a resurgent and assertive India.
In an e-interaction from New Delhi with the participants of a seminar held by Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra here in commemoration of Accession Day and Landing of Army in Srinagar on 27th October 1947 to rescue Kashmir from tribals, General Sinha exuded confidence that under the leadership of Modi, the Indian Army will again rescue the people of the Valley from self-destroying Jehadi fundamentalism.
“Let’s hope that the people of Kashmir attain peace and prosperity again as part of proud and prosperous nation of India”, General Sinha said. He called for redoubling efforts to instill a spirit of unity among the people in order to defeat machinations of elements inimical to great idea of India. Challenges are manifold and these need to be met with resilience and firm resolve to uphold the unity of the nation”, General Sinha added Gen Sinha gave a vivid account of the tumultuous days of last week of October 1947, when he was an officer 161 Brigade, that was immediately rushed from Delhi to Srinagar in the morning that year and said it was due to the sheer grit of the officers and men of this brigade that they secured Srinagar Airfield from the tribal raiders assisted by Pakistani military. He praised the valour of Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Major Soom Nath Sharma, Lt. Col Ranjeet Rai and their brave men, who against heavy odds unnerved the plans of the enemy as a result of which they got panicky and were never able to occupy Srinagar especially the vitally important airfield; thereby securing the Kashmiri people from the evil clutches of Pakistan.
While paying tributes to martyrs’, Gen Sinha recalled that 800 Dakota sorties were flown from Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport to Srinagar in 15 days. “This was remarkable achievement in military history at that time”, he maintained. He praised the efforts of Sanjeevni Saharda Kendra in organizing such events for promoting historical facts to the younger generation. He further extolled the young generation to read and inquire about history so that the just and truth about such historically important events having important political and security ramifications are understood well by the coming generation.
Justice (rtd) G D Sharma, a noted legal luminary and former judge J&K High Court, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, laid out in detail the legal aspects of Accession. In a detailed analysis, he said that it was sad that those who have been Chief Ministers of the state despite knowing everything were hell bent to dilute the legality of the accession of the state to India by fabricating specious arguments. He castigated Karan Singh the former Sadr Riyasat for his statement in the Parliament in which he had said that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was conditional.
Noted defence expert and soldier Col (retd) Dr Virendra Sahi VrC in his remarks said that since times immemorial Kashmir was a part of India and Pakistan has no role in it. He informed about the various military battles which defeated the Pakistani tribals from Budgam, Shalteng and up to Uri where unfortunately Indian troops were asked to stop. He said that all nationalist people who are in majority must join hands so that the evil and nefarious designs of few people creating unrest in the valley are stopped for ever.
The function started with lighting of the lamp and recital of patriotic poems by noted poets J.N Sagar and P.L Sudeshi. Pradeep Kaul introduced and welcomed the guests. Senior Trustee of the Kendra H.N Pandita presented vote of thanks.
The programme was compeered by famous Hindi poet Dr M K Bharat who also recited a patriotic poem on the occasion. Scholars, media persons and people drawn from various segments of the civil society attended the function.
