Internal security, protecting heritage country's biggest challenges

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today held internal security and protection of the country's cultural ethos and heritage as the the ''two biggest challenges'' for independent India.

''The biggest challenge today before independent India is on two fronts. Firstly, internal security is a major concern, and secondly we need to protect the country's unique cultural ethos and heritage,'' he said, calling on society to be ''aware and alert in conclusively defeating all forces that seek to threaten'' these two factors.

In his address at the party office after unfurling the national flag, Mr Singh expressed confidence that the country will make great strides and ''India will establish its identity in the world as an emerging economic power but with strong cultural roots.'' Recalling the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters, he also thanked the brave soldiers ''who laid down their lives in various wars for protecting the country's independence'' and security forces who are ''battling various extremists and terrorist forces in different parts of the country.'' The country would be forever indebted to them, he asserted.

The BJP president termed today a ''day of reflection and contemplation where the nation needs to assess its progress over the last 60 years.'' Noting that while it had notched up many achievements, he said it was a cause of concern too that it had not matched the progress of countries who gained independence at the same time, and cited China and Israel as examples.

UNI