PM Narendra Modi lauds Indian soldiers' humanitarian efforts

Bhopal: Inaugurating 'Shaurya Smarak,' a war memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the humanitarian work undertaken by the defence personnel in times of natural or man-made calamities.

Be it the Uttarakhand floods of 2013 or the Kashmir floods of 2014, the Indian Army did a commendable job in saving thousands of lives, Modi said here.

"In Kashmir, our soldiers rescued - and provided humanitarian aid to - thousands of people without giving a thought that these are the same people who throw stones at the Indian forces," he said.

"Sometimes these stones can be fatal. But despite that, our soldiers did not go into who did what to them in the past. They just saved the lives of their fellow countrymen," the Prime Minister said.

'Our army is happiest when we sleep in peace. They have no complaint. But they will never forgive us if we sleep when we should be awake. Unfortunately, we have been found sleeping when we should have been awake," he said.

"The first image of a soldier may be that of a uniformed person with bloodshot eyes, carrying weapons and looking for enemies, but the same soldier has a very humane face too," Modi said.

He said the Indian Army may not be the strongest in the world, but it certainly is on the top on the parameters of humanity, discipline, conduct and behaviour with civilians.

Modi said high morale is the biggest weapon of any army, which comes from the backing of 125 crore Indians. "Our army doesn't talk but displays valour."