Chandigarh, December 7: Punjab Governor V. P. Singh Badnore today dedicated MLF 2018 to the valour of the over 74000 Indians who had laid their lives in the First World War.
Inaugurating the Military Literature Festival at the Lake Club Chandigarh, he termed the MLF as a befitting tribute to the unknown martyrs, to mark centenary year of the Great War.
Thanking Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for educating the younger generation about the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers, through the unique platform of MLF, the governor expressed satisfaction over the perfectly conceptualised festival.
Recalling the unparalleled sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the World War-1 and II, the governor said, “This year also marks the centenary of the Great War of 1914-1918, a time for remembrance of the 74, 000 Indians who fell and 67, 000 others who were severely wounded, many of whom never recovered, and they lie in, or their ashes are interred in foreign fields”.
The governor said that it was a matter of great pride for the country that sent 1.3 million soldiers in these expeditions. The Indian soldiers proved their mettle in these missions by winning 11 Victoria Crosses and significantly six more were won by British officers leading Indian troops, he added.
He expressed satisfaction that during the festival, many important speakers would also focus on the known and unknown facets of these wars to make the younger generation aware of the unique role of Indian soldiers in these expeditions.
The governor appreciated the fact that the MLF was not confined to the World Wars but will also focus on the heroism and unparalleled courage of the great Maharana Pratap, Shivaji, and many other such warriors who have always been a great source of inspiration. The MLF is also going to have deliberations on Mahabharata, the world’s longest epic, which was set in this very region, he noted.
Describing Punjab as the Sword Arm of the nation and the Tricity of Chandigarh as the retirement hub of military stalwarts, the governor said that on assuming charge of Administrator UT, he found that approximately 90 Lieutenant Generals and 133 Major Generals were living in the City Beautiful after retirement.
“I found that no other city that I know of can boast of so many senior and distinguished retired and serving officers staying in one city,” he said.
Going into the origin of MLF, the governor said that he broached the idea of organizing a military history based Literature Festival with Punjab CM during the unveiling of Captain Amarinder’s book on Saragarhi and the latter agreed to execute his idea.
“I congratulate Captain Sahib, who is a veteran and a leading military historian, for staging this amazing festival, which has showcased the indomitable spirit of Punjabis and their unparalleled contribution to India’s freedom struggle,”, said the Governor.
Also congratulating Senior Advisor to Punjab CM, T.S. Shergill for organizing a series of exciting events to build momentum for MLF, the governor said that they had organized a spree of spellbinding adventurous activities in the form of the Military carnival organized in Chandigarh and Patiala from 29th November to 1st of December,2018.
Events like the vintage and classic car display, weapons display, Cyclothon and Marathon, Birding Rally, Art and Photo Exhibition, Skydiving, Golf Tournament, para-motor and micro light show, equitation tattoo, Saraghari light and sound show and stunning daredevil mobike acts were held in Chandigarh, he recalled.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Advisor to Punjab CM, T.S. Shergill said that MLF is a novel initiative of Captain Amarinder Singh for motivating the younger generation towards making a career in armed forces.
Prominent among others present during the occasion were former Indian Army Chief General (retd) V. P. Malik, Paramveer Chakra recipient Yogendra Yadav, Lord Daljit Rana, Diplomats from different countries and decorated soldiers from different countries.