Jodhpur:-President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Standard to 116 HU of Indian Air Force, in Jodhpur

It gives me immense pleasure to be here today at Air Force Station Jodhpur, one of the oldest and premier air bases of the Indian Air Force in the Rajasthan Sector, to award Standards to 21 Squadron and 116 Helicopter Unit. These distinguished flying Units have a glorious past and a rich tradition of professional excellence. Since their inception, they have rendered illustrious service to the nation and done us proud. Their rich heritage and stellar efforts in the pursuit of excellence have set a benchmark for others to emulate. For their selfless devotion, professionalism and courage in the face of adversity, the nation honours them today with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation.

Indian Air Force has been fulfilling its role of protecting the Indian skies and safeguarding the sovereignty of our Nation, and has also provided aid to its citizens during natural calamities. The resilience and tenacity displayed by the Air Warriors is a great source of encouragement and a matter of pride for the Nation. The massive relief operations undertaken by the Indian Air Force in the past is etched in our memories. The nation is immensely proud of Indian Air Force and remains indebted to the air warriors for their selflessness and sacrifice.

As a responsible nation, India is firmly committed to peace and stability for which we need an effective deterrence and a strong defence force. While the nation is striving for an all-round economic growth and social empowerment of its citizens, we remain equally focused on building our defence capability that safeguards our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thus, the confidence inspired by the Armed Forces, for the nation to progress resolutely on the path of development is really praiseworthy. The Air Warriors, who stand before us today, epitomize grit and determination in fulfilling their responsibilities towards the Nation by upholding the highest standards of service ethos. I take this opportunity to congratulate all the Air Warriors on parade for their impeccable drill and smart turnout.

21 Squadron known as the “Ankush” was formed in Ambala in October 1965 with Gnat Mk-I aircraft. The Squadron has actively participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak war carrying out 108 Air Defence missions and was decorated with three Vayu Sena Medals. During “Operation Safed Sagar” in 1999 the squadron was handed over the responsibility to guard the Srinagar Valley. The commendable performance of the personnel of the squadron during various operations has been recognised and appreciated in the form of gallantry awards. Over the years the squadron has successfully operatedGnat Mk-I andMiG 21 aircraft, from nine different locations. The squadron has always lived up to its motto of “Siddhirvasti Sahase” which translates into ‘Success Lies in Courage’ and I am sure they will continue to excel in the times to come.

116 Helicopter Unit has had a glorious operational record. It was formed in Sarsawa in August 1967 with Mi-4 Helicopters. Later, the Unit has operated Chetak and recently, the Dhruv helicopter with distinction and accomplishment. This was also one of the first helicopter units to be equipped with Anti Tank Guided Missiles, thus assuming the name of ‘Tankbusters’ that the unit bears proudly till date.The unit undertook various operations in different roles like Casualty Evacuation, Logistic Support, Armed Reconnaissance and also operations in support of the Army. The Unit has carried out extensive flying on numerous occasions to bring relief to the stranded people and saved innumerable lives. Hence their motto “AAPATSU MITRAM”meaning “Friends in Distress” truly reflects the Unit’s noble and gallant involvement towards the conduct of relief and rescue operations. I am confident that the ‘Tankbusters’ will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

In acknowledgement and recognition of their outstanding performance, I award Standards to 21 Squadron and 116 Helicopter Unit. On this occasion, I take the opportunity to compliment the personnel and families of 21 Squadron and 116 Helicopter Unit, both past and present, for their selfless service and dedication towards the nation. The nation is indeed proud of you. I wish you all the very best for a glorious future.

The President also inaugurated the first Interactive Web Portal Swavlamban.info made by the Department of Disability.

Extending a warm welcome to the President, the union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot said the Ministry is actively endeavouring to bring in a new Act to replace the existing PwD Act, 1995. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 has been introduced in the Parliament in the beginning of this year. It envisages more rights and entitlements to all categories of persons with disabilities and would also provide for strong implementation mechanism. He said that the Ministry/Department to earmark 3% of their budget for the welfare of persons with disabilities. He urged the State Governments to facilitate issuance of disability certificates.

The Minister said that the Central Government is examining is examining the feasibility of issuance of Universal I.D., which is applicable across the country to overcome the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities, as presently certificate issued by one State is not applicable in other States or Central Government Departments.
The Minister with pleasure announced the Cochlear implant scheme which would benefit 500 children this year. The Minister also said that action is being taken for establishment of five Centers for disability sports all over in India, National Institute of Inclusive of Universal Design, Indian Sign Language and Research and Training Centre, National Institute for Mental Health Rehabilitation and Centre for Disability Research.
Present on the occasion were Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Social Justice, Shri Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice, Ms Stuti Kacker, Secretary, Department of Disability Affairs, Shri Sudhir Bargava, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Prof. (Ms.) Sudesh Mukhopadhyay, Chairman, Rehabilitation Council of India, Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabihlities and Shri Anoop Kumar Shriastava, Special Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment

Following Lord Mahavira’s spiritual footprints, a chain of Jain Acharyas appeared from time to time through the centuries. They helped in nourishing Indian culture with fundamental and interminable values. Acharya Bhikshu was one of those eminent Acharyas. He stood against the misinterpretation of religious texts and doctrines. He provided true meaning to the age-old and fundamental strings of spirituality. The `Terapanth` sect was born out of that pious resolve. The ninth successor of Acharya Bhikshu was Acharya Tulsi.Acharya Tulsi was born in 1914, at a time when India was starting to transcend from a traditional to a modern nation. At the tender age of eleven, he started delving into the problems of the world and seeking solutions, and transformed into a Jain monk.Under the spiritual guidance of Acharya Kalughani, he undertook in-depth study of aagamas and other texts of philosophy and nyaya in a short span of eleven years. This made him a scholar of multiple subjects. Due to his extraordinary talent and vision, he became the successor Acharya at the age of 22. From then on, he started a journey of exploration of new vistas for human development.

  Acharyaji was a humanitarian, a peace activist, and a torch-bearer of moral awakening in our country. He rendered service for more than sixty years, during which he toiled hard for the transformation of the nation by transforming the individual. He set up a mission for `Moral awakening of the country` and embarked on a long journey walking barefoot across the nation. He travelled more than one lakh kilometers reaching out to the elite of the society and the marginalized alike and to the rural and urban belt of the country. Wherever he went, whomever he met, he echoed the voice of purity in conduct. Under the banner of Anuvrat Movement, which he led from its beginning in 1936 until his demise in 1997, Acharya Tulsi met writers, politicians, philosophers, poets and spiritual leaders. He shared his concern for national integration. He voiced his opinion against social evils like suppression of women, dowry system, torturing of widows, untouchability and veiling of women. He launched a special campaign for de-addiction. Due to Acharyaji’s inspiration, thousands of people got registered and de-addicted successfully.

Acharya Tulsi was an eloquent public speaker. Through his thought provoking and inspirational discourses, he enlightened the people. His thoughts and philosophy are contained in more than hundred books written in different languages and in varied styles. His writing espouses virtues like rationality, practicality, solution-orientation, relevance and harmony. He was a keen proponent of world peace. When the Atom Bomb was used in 1945, Acharya Tulsi wrote an article titled `Message of peace to unquiet world`. Reading about the ways Acharyaji suggested for maintenance of world peace, Mahatma Gandhi had observed and I quote: “How good it would be if the world lives in accordance with this great man`s precepts” (unquote). As recognition of Acharya Tulsi`s significant endeavour in bringing individual transformation, social reformation, religious harmony and national integration, he was conferred several honours like Indira Gandhi National Unity Award, Bharat Jyoti, Vak Pati Samman and Hakim Sur Khan Award. To dedicate his life completely in the service of humanity and spirituality, he renounced his acharya-ship willingly and appointed Acharya Mahapragya as his successor.

 He established a web of organizations to pursue his noble objectives. The Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute, the All India Terapanth Women Congregation which has around 60,000 members today, and the All India Terapanth Youth Congregation which has more than 300 branches and over 40,000 members, are working for Anuvrat, in the field of meditation, jeevan vigyan (or the science of living) and ahimsa samavaya. The ascetic group, Anuvrat, with more than 800 members, represents a strong force championing humanitarian causes. One of the important tasks undertaken by them is the editing of Jainaagamas, which is a ground-breaking achievement and I congratulate the group for the same. At this release of Tulsi Smriti Granth today, it is gladdening to see several leading spiritual lights, besides followers, attending the function. Every word inscribed in this book is an article of faith that followers should bear in their hearts for life. The lives of people in these modern times are both a matter of opportunity and challenge, of stability and turbulence. Acharyaji’s teachings and words of wisdom hold great relevance for moral upliftment of individuals and transformation of nations alike. I earnestly hope that the messages contained in the Granth will travel far and wide and imbibed by the people.

 I am also happy to learn that Acharya Mahashraman, who is the eleventh supreme head of the ‘Terapanth’, is undertaking an Ahimsa Yatra from Delhi in November, this year. I wish this expedition all success. May this journey on foot benefit the masses and people of our country.