Kolkata, Aug 28 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday praised the Army, BSF and SSB for guarding the country’s borders and urged people to stand against forces seeking to weaken the nation.
Stating that several countries had shown interest in India’s indigenous supersonic long-range BrahMos missile, Adhikari said its use during the conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack had yielded considerable success against Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.
He was speaking at a programme organised by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department here.
“Those internal forces trying to weaken the country will be tracked down and repulsed,” he said.
Urging the youth to work towards strengthening the country, Adhikari said, “Be fired and motivated by the sacrifices and zeal of Sri Aurobindo, Surendranath Banerjee, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Masterda Surya Sen and Matangini Hazra.” Adhikari recalled his days as an NSS cadet in college when he participated in social work such as “clearing hyacinth in ponds and cleaning up neighbourhoods of colleges and houses”.
Referring to his conversation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last week, he said, “Rajnathji had suggested that we set up NCC and NSS in educational institutions in the state.” “We must make our youth physically strong and remember how everyone is combat-ready in Israel. I will soon write on this,” he added.
Referring to Rakhsha Bandhan, Adhikari said the festival strengthened the bond of “Rashtravad” (nationalism) among people.
The chief minister said 26 lakh rakhis were distributed in the state-sponsored programme on Friday and around 4,000 events were organised.
“Rakhi Purnima has religious and social significance. Tagore had given a call for Raksha Bandhan against the Partition of undivided Bengal in 1905 and this forced the then British rulers to take corrective action and halt their divisive ploy,” he said.
Referring to India’s 1,000-year-old history, Adhikari said, “By organising such festivals we wish to keep the culture of the state and country intact.” “Rakhsha Bandhan boosts our social and religious heritage fabric and makes us look towards the past to reaffirm our bonding with roots,” he said.
Adhikari said that, like Rakhsha Bandhan, his government was also involved in initiatives such as celebrating World Yoga Day on June 21, unlike the past.
“On June 21, India led the world in observing Yoga as 150 countries observed the day and three crore people took part,” he said.
“On the 75th Independence Day, Modiji gave a call for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ but unfortunately the then state government did not participate in the same programme. In 2026, with a Rashtravadi government in power in the state, we observed World Yoga Day in a big way,” he said.
Adhikari said 70 lakh national flags were distributed this time and the Tricolour was hoisted at every household, while 45,000 citizens walked from the Gostho Pal statue on the Maidan to Birla Planetarium, chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
Observing that around 90 per cent of those attending Friday’s programme were youths, Adhikari said, “You are the future of the country. Passing out from IIT and other reputed institutions, you will become engineers, doctors and lead the country.” “You lead India in games and sports to take the nation forward. You need to imbibe ‘rashtravad, deshprem’ in your ‘chintan’ (thoughts),” he exhorted. PTI SUS MNB
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