Jammu, Jan 20: Lauding the "exemplary" role played by army and paramilitary forces in safeguarding the country and its frontiers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said their sacrifices would always be remembered by people of India. "We are proud of our army and paramilitary forces for the exemplary role played by them in safeguarding the country and its frontiers by their sacrifices," Sonia told a state council conference of 'Sadhbavana ke Sipahi' (SKS) here.

Honouring Paramvir Chakra awardee, Subedar Bana Singh, hero of the capture of Siachen glacier in 1984 'Meghdoot' operation, Sonia said that these forces will continue to serve their motherland under all types of circumstances and their sacrifices would always be remembered by people of the country.

The AICC chief, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said though India is a country of different religions, "it is unity in diversity which has kept us together.”

"It is due to secularism that India is today the biggest democracy in the world," the Congress chief said.

Lamenting that vested interests were trying to disintegrate the country, she said, "but the people of India believe in teachings of Mahatama Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, who sacrificed their lives for the country.” "Voices against anti-social elements should come from every quarter of India and only then you will have real rule of secularism and peace," Sonia said.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the country is the land of saints and we should ensure that the faith of the people in them remains intact, she said adding, "There is a need to enlighten the hearts and minds of the people with feelings of communal amity.”

Sonia gave away awards to 10 veterans from different fields.

Those who attended the function included Manmohan Singh, Ambika Soni, Gulam Nabi Azad and Arjun Singh.
Bureau Report