Soldiers are heroes for Gen Next: Dikshit

New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said the younger generation should follow and emulate the brave deeds of the armed forces.

Addressing a civic reception held here to honour the three surviving Param Veer Chakra awardees, Honorary Captain Bana Singh, Havildar Yogender Singh Yadav, and Naik Sanjay Kumar and the first Indian who traveled in the space Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, Dikshit said: "The brave soldiers of our armed forces are the real heroes for our young generation and they need to follow the ideals of these young men.

"Civil society should not forget that India's armed forces make supreme sacrifice for our (society) better tomorrows," she added.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh said: " The soldiers fight for two reasons, one for the self motive and another to keep the glory of his unit at the highest level."

Recalling his memories of World War II when he was with the Royal Indian Air Force, in Imphal, Air Chief Marshal Singh said: "We just obeyed the orders of our superiors."

"We didn't know who were those people killed by our bombing. But later our (RAF) intelligence informed that they were INA soldiers," he added.

FICCI Secretary General Dr. Amit Mitra said the aim of the programme was to build a vibrant civil society.

"Our civil society has become despondent and demoralized. There is a need to regenerate collective self-confidence and self esteem by showing them that all is not lost," Mitra said.

"We have adopted two slogans; we are all Indians first, and we are proud to be Indian. Our aim in holding this function and to follow up with more is to show that we still have much to be proud of. Our brave soldier is the best example," he added.

Netaji Subhash INA Trust secretary, Brigadier R.S. Chhikara said: "It's an occasion for eminent members of civil society to come together and bestow appreciation and honour on our bravest of the brave Param Veeras who have set examples of selfless commitment to national well being." By Shreeraj Gudi (ANI)