New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while making an address at the Shaheed Samman Yatra in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh, said that the 'new and powerful India' will give a befitting reply to any efforts made by Pakistan to destabilize peace in the country.
"Pakistan makes all efforts to destabilize peace in India but we have sent a clear message to them that we will hit back. This is a new and powerful India", he was quoted by ANI.
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He also informed that the ex-gratia amount provided in case of the battle casualties has been increased to Rs 8 lakh by the Centre.
"Earlier, the ex-gratia amount for the battle casualty was Rs 2 lakh which has been increased by four times," quoted ANI.
He spoke about his visit to Rezang La in Ladakh on November 18, he said, "I went to Rezang La where I was told that about the miracle performed by 124 jawans of Kumaon Battalion...It can never be forgotten. I was told that 114 jawans were killed in action, but they killed over 1200 Chinese soldiers. I had the privilege of visiting the place." Adding that if there is a fifth Dham in Uttarakhand, it will have the soil from the homes of soldiers killed in action.
BJP Chief JP Nadda had inaugurated the Shaheed Samman Yatra in Chamoli on November 15 to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by soldiers from Uttarakhand. The yatra is meant to collect soil from the homes of the 1,734 soldiers who lost their lives. During the inauguration, he made an address and according to ANI he said: "From today till December 7, soil from aangan of around 1,734 soldiers will be collected to use in 'Sainya Dham' (in Dehradun)," Nadda informed about the 'Shaheed Samman Yatra'."
"The yatra will pass through 13 districts and 700 blocks of Uttarakhand. I want everyone's participation and a grand welcome by every block to this yatra so that martyrs and their families get the respect they deserve," he added.