Surgical Strikes Anniversary Celebrations at Panjab University

Chandigarh, September 29, 2018: The Department of Defence and National Security Studies has celebrated the Surgical Strike Day in collaboration with the NCC Army Wing, Panjab University, Chandigarh on September 29, 2018. A special lecture on the “Role of Armed Forces in Nation Building” was delivered by Keynote Speaker Maj.Gen.Amarjit Singh (Retd.). The lecture was presided by Prof.Shankarji Jha, Dean of University Instruction, Panjab University. The Chairperson of the department Dr Jaskaran Singh Waraich welcomed the guests and introduced the speaker as well as the theme of the lecture to the audience. Dr.Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces is a great institution which is apolitical in nature and has maintained the sanctity, decorum and ethos by making the supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

Maj Gen Amarjit Singh started his lecture by giving a historical perspective on how India as a nation has dealt with the aspect of nation building which entails managing security as well as pursuing economic progress. He highlighted how the prosperity of India lured various invaders to come to India in the past and how our neglect with regard to our defence and security has led to them being successful in their plans. He also spoke about the systematic decline in India’s contribution to the World GDP. He explained the various aspects of concepts of Nation-building, State-building as well as Nation’s Development. He highlighted the requirement to keep both the Armed Forces and the Central Armed Police Forces separate as they have their own specific roles and responsibilities. Then he gave a chronological overview of the various operations conducted by the Indian Armed Forces in the post-independence history of India as well as the tasks performed in the aid to civil authorities. He concluded his lecture by explaining the objectives achieved by the successful conduct of surgical strikes across the Line of Control by the special forces. He explained the importance of Surgical Strikes and how it was perceived
worldwide by quoting the examples of Israel and Russia. The demonstration of Power is must in order to maintain the deterrence towards the adversary.

Prof. Shankarji Jha stressed on the matter that every individual must be aware about the security scenario prevailing in the country. He also said that the subject of such importance should be introduced at the school and higher institutions of education. The sacrifices made by the armed forces must be acknowledged by every individual because we are working in a secure environment because of their hardship in the line of duty.

This was followed by the screening of a documentary of the Surgical Strikes conducted on September 29, 2016.Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Chairperson, Department of Police Administration delivered the vote of thanks. The special lecture was attended by faculty from the university, officers of the armed forces, research scholars, students and NCC cadets and representatives of the print and electronic media.

This was followed by an interaction of the audience with the Keynote Speaker.