New Delhi [India], September 6 : Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday emphasised the crucial role citizens play in national security, saying that during Operation Sindoor, over 72,000 NCC (National Cadet Corps) warriors volunteered for civil defence measures, spearheading support systems.
Stating that national security is not just the job of soldiers, General Dwivedi cited the example of Ukraine, where ordinary citizens take responsibility for their country's defence.
Addressing the Georgian Centenary Celebrations, the Chief of Army Staff said, "...Citizens are the first information providers to the soldiers... During Operation Sindoor, more than 72,000 NCC warriors, spearheading all the support systems required, volunteered for civil defence measures. Ukraine has shown the world what happens when ordinary citizens take responsibility for their country's defence. Their role, intelligence gathering, logistics, and resistance have proven that national security is not just the job of soldiers, it belongs to everyone."
The Chief of Army Staff further stated that the Army is actively involved in nation-building initiatives, including water conservation projects, soil conservation, tree plantations, solar power projects, and wildlife conservation.
General Dwivedi reaffirmed the Army's commitment to veterans, veer naris, and their families, ensuring welfare initiatives and addressing grievances.
He said, "The Army is contributing towards nation-building in a big way, too. We are not only defending the border states, but we also bring prosperity to those remote areas, connect with the civil administration, and participate in relief work in case of a disaster-like situation. We have undertaken water conservation projects, soil conservation projects, tree plantations, solar power projects, green hydrogen projects at Trishul, saving wildlife, and many other environmental causes to make our country a better place to live for future generations. We also remain committed in our covenant responsibility towards veterans, veer naris and their families. Endeavors to augment welfare initiatives, proactively reach out to them and address their grievances, will remain an abiding undertaking for us."