Agniveer Yojna is in national interest: Retired Air Vice Marshal Harbans Parminder Singh

Vir Chakra Sardar Harbans Parminder Singh addresses citizens

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 28:  Retired Air Vice Marshal and Vir Chakra recipient Sardar Harbans Parminder Singh addressed citizens, emphasizing that the Agniveer Yojna had been designed in the national interest. He highlighted that the country would witness significant benefits from the scheme in future. Over the past 15 days, many state governments had agreed to provide quotas in the police for Agniveers, recognizing the need for disciplined, duty-bound, honest, and committed personnel in the general civil administration, he stated.

Singh shared that ex-servicemen’s organizations had recommended the central government to extend the 4-year plan to 8 years and increase the permanent commission from 25% to 50%. Additionally, they had requested a fixed quota in paramilitary force appointments. He noted that countries like Great Britain and the USA mandated military contributions, leading to increased discipline and commitment to service. While there was no economic benefit there, the central government in India offered substantial support, including benefits for martyrdom akin to those of the permanent army.

Addressing the opposition’s criticism, Singh acknowledged that in a democracy, opposition parties would naturally focus on shortcomings. He recalled a similar report with suggestions that was submitted by the army to the then Minister of State for Defense Arun Singh in 1991, as the short-term service scheme was already in operation.

Highlighting his role in the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, Singh recounted how the Indian Air Force displayed indomitable courage by destroying the Sargodha airbase in West Pakistan and the Mianwali airstrip. He asserted that today’s India, post-Galwan Valley, had the capability to stand up to China, with modern ammunition and facilities to perform vigilant duties in Siachen and other hilly areas.

In the Q&A session, Singh addressed misconceptions about the Agniveer Yojna, affirming that it would ultimately benefit the country and its citizens. He emphasized the media’s role in communicating these benefits to the public. Singh also suggested mandatory short-term army training for all citizens to enable them to effectively respond to disasters.

The meeting was presided by Press Club of Jamshedpur President Sanjeev Bharadwaj and conducted by General Secretary Vikas Srivastava. Guests were welcomed with bouquets and shawls by Gulab Singh, BK Ojha, Chandrashekhar, Nikhil Sinha, and Akash. A memento was also presented to Air Vice Marshal Singh.

Those present also included Manav Kedia, Dr. Santosh Gupta, Dinesh Kumar, Chintu Singh, Shiv Shankar Singh, Rajkumar Singh, Pankaj Sinha, Amarjeet Singh Raja, Nishan Singh, Paramjit Singh Kale, Baljit Singh Sansowa, Devendra Singh, Bhavani Shankar Gupta, Satbir Singh Somu, Chanchal Bhatia, Dinesh Kinu, and Arijit Sarkar.