Ladakh capital of valour, says Rajnath Singh in Holi with soldiers

SRINAGAR: Defence minister Rajnath Singh showered praises and gulal on soldiers in Ladakh on Sunday, celebrating Holi with them and extolling their exemplary valour in bone-numbing conditions.
“Your commitment deserves applause. You perform your duties despite severe cold conditions in Ladakh. The nation is highly indebted to you,” Singh said, accompanied by Army chief General Manoj Pande and other officers.
Singh was to celebrate Holi with soldiers in Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, but his visit was called off due to bad weather.
“Today, it was not possible to go to Siachen. Therefore, I wish all soldiers there Happy Holi,” Singh said. Later, he spoke with some soldiers in Siachen over the phone, extending Holi greetings and promising to visit them soon. He recalled that he had visited Siachen first after taking charge as defence minister five years ago.
Singh applied gulal on soldiers’ foreheads in Ladakh and exchanged sweets, saying playing Holi with them was one of his happiest moments.
The minister laid a wreath at a War Memorial in Ladakh to pay tributes to martyred soldiers and described Ladakh “as the national capital of courage and bravery”.
“Like we have the national capital in Delhi, the economic capital in Mumbai, and the technological capital in Bengaluru, Ladakh is India's capital of courage and bravery. When everyone wants to hide in their homes due to extreme weather, you are doing divine work, ready to fire at the enemy and take a bullet to your chest. It is due to this that the people of the country can celebrate Holi peacefully. I feel all of you are no less than protector-gods for us,” Singh told the soldiers.
Singh reiterated PM Narendra Modi-led govt’s commitment to the welfare of the armed forces and their families. “It is our duty to take care of you, your children and parents. Our govt is working for the forces with the same zeal with which you work for the country,” he said.
The minister urged the three service chiefs to start a tradition of celebrations with soldiers a day before a festival and urged them to make these “an integral part of our culture”.
(With inputs from agencies)