Saturday 16 / November / 2024
Wellington (Tamil Nadu): President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday stressed on "jointness" among the three armed forces to ensure ultimate victory in conflicts and effectively uphold the sovereignty of the country.
Addressing the convocation of the 71st Staff Course at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) at Wellington in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, he said such a synergy ensured victory in the 1971 war for India as a result of which Bangladesh was liberated.
"Army, Navy and Air Force are the military instruments of state power. The history of warfare bears testimony that the ultimate victory in war will be achieved through jointness among the three services."
"The foremost example, in contemporary history, of excellent synergy and jointmanship exhibited in military history was during the 1971 war. No strategic military victory has ever been so precedented by any armed force in the world,such as the liberation of Bangladesh which culminated with the birth of a nation, in termination of the war," he said.
Mukherjee said, DSSC's curriculum was institutionalised to empower jointness among the armed forces.
Apart from officers of the three defence services and paramilitary forces, 35 officers from 25 friendly countries also graduated from the portals of the college on Friday.
The president gave away medals and parchments to them.
He asked the graduating officers to be well versed about the history of various conflicts and latest technology available in the modern world for successful military operations.
"It is now upon you to ensure that you use this understanding with utmost maturity and prudence to effectively leverage the combat power of your forces when the country requires you as custodians of peace and security to preserve the sovereignty, territorial integrity conforming to our national interests."
"As your Supreme Commander, I implore you to do this with total loyalty, distinction, steadfastness and patriotic fervour," he said.
Mukherjee said the degree obtained by the officers at the end of the 45-week command course should act as a "catalyst" in their implacable pursuit of knowledge.
"You should always remain well informed with the latest in military technology advancements as well as aware of scientific developments for their appropriate application in the armed forces."
"Study the numerous perceptions of various conflicts that have chronicled and conscientiously study the evolution of potential flashpoints and their evaluated outcomes. It is only when you seek knowledge that you gain wisdom in life to take coherent and timely military decisions which directly affects the lives of the forces under your command," he said.
He asked the future commanders to articulate their views "with clarity and conviction in accordance with military rules and regulations to obviate ambiguity and ambivalence". He also heaped praise on DSSC, calling it "one of the finest" premier establishments that accentuates well orchestrated and synergised employment and integrated functioning of the three services in a multi-spectrum conflict environment.
The president expressed hope that officers from friendly foreign countries who graduated on Friday will have "everlasting ties of brotherhood" with India as they forged deep bonds of friendship, spirit of cooperation and camaraderie with officers from the country during their stay here.
