“Sandesh2Soldiers”

PM Narendra Modi’s campaign in which people across the country can send their wishes and messages to soldiers for Diwali who are miles away from home and their families is in full swing, on social media. After all we are a digital generation and our Diwali messages now include our soldiers.

Modi had said in a tweet, “I sent my #Sandesh2Soldiers. You could also do the same. Your wishes will certainly make our forces very happy.” The campaign started on October 25 till Diwali October 30 enables people to send messages under the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign on the Narendra Modi App( created for this purpose), through MyGov.in and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan has also started a program to share people’s emotions with armed forces. “When 1.25 crore people stand with the soldiers, their power increases by 1.25 crore times,” according to the Prime Minister.

This is not the first time Modi is focusing on the armed forces. The last two Diwalis were also celebrated by him with the army. But this time, the urgency has heightened tremendously. The social media is full of these messages to “boost the morale of our forces” and it has become the new Bharat Mata ki Jai mantra. The so called “ Who’s Who” on the Indian stage, from politicians to businessmen and actors are now busy sending their patriotic sandesh to soldiers.

At the same time the government is on a $250 billion push to modernize India’s armed forces. The 1.3 million-strong military is abandoning its two decade-old Indian made rifles and seeking to outfit its infantry with more up-to-date equipment, scouting for a new model on the global market for 185,000 assault rifles. It said it wants a larger, more deadly 7.62mm model that will “shoot to kill.” The Ministry of Defence also needs hundreds of thousands of helmets and bullet proof vests. It has asked the global dealers to reply by November 7^th. So much for the “Make in India” campaign!

Meanwhile Congress president, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the long standing demand for the “ One Rank One Pension” by the Armed forces. “As we celebrate Diwali, and rejoice in the victory of light over darkness, let us send this message to our soldiers that our gratitude is expressed both in words and in deed. This is the very least we owe to those who give up their today to secure our tomorrow.”

Further accusing the government of downgrading the status of military officers vis a vis their civilian counterparts in a letter dated 18th October 2016, Rahul stated that the OROP implemented by the government, does not fully meet the genuine demands of the ex-servicemen and they have been forced to come out on the streets to make their voice heard on this vital issue.

-UDAAN