Hamirpur tops state in sending soldiers to Army: Lt Gen Pardeep Bali

Hamirpur, January 15

In Himachal, Hamirpur district has given the highest number of soldiers to Indian defence forces, said Lt Gen Pardeep Bali (retd) while addressing a function of ex- servicemen organised by the Sarv Kalyankari Sanstha to mark Army Day in Sujanpur, near here today.

He said that it was a matter of pride that he was addressing people who had either given their prime time of life in the service of the nation or whose sons had defended the borders of the nation. He added that no matter he was addressing ex-servicemen, “a person once a soldier always remains a soldier”. He said that many ex-servicemen here were from the regiment he had served and their presence made him nostalgic.

Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma said that Congress governments had always protected the interests of serving defence forces personnel and ex-servicemen as well. He alleged that the NDA government had compromised with the security of the country by starting the Agniveer recruitment scheme in the armed forces.

Sujanpur MLA Rajinder Rana said that it was due to the ex servicemen that he was re-elected from the constituency. He added that he would continue to serve the constituency despite all constraints. He thanked the government for increasing the bed capacity of the Sujanpur Civil Hospital.

Abhishek Rana, chairman of the Sarv Kalayankari Sanstha, listed the achievements of the organisation. He added that they had helped thousands of students in their pursuit of education and needy parents in solemnising the marriages of their daughters.