Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday unveiled the statue of Shaheed Arvind Sangwan in Jhojhu Kalan, located in the Badhra constituency of Charkhi Dadri district. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said it was a proud and deeply emotional moment for everyone. On this brave land of Haryana, we remember a great son who laid down his life in the service of Mother India, he said.
The Chief Minister said martyrs serve as an inspiration for future generations. “This is not just a statue, but a symbol of courage, unwavering patriotism and supreme sacrifice that flows in the blood of the youth of this region,” he said. Shaheed Arvind Sangwan was a young man who had the spirit of serving the nation since childhood.
Born in Jhojhu Kalan, the soil of the village instilled strong patriotic values in him. He dreamt of joining the Indian Army and through hard work, he fulfilled that dream. He laid down his life on 23rd December 2022, during Operation Snow Leopard in Ladakh while defending the nation’s borders, the Chief Minister added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the sacrifice of a soldier is not just a personal loss but a sacrifice for the entire nation. When a soldier is martyred, his family, his village, his state, and the whole country feel the loss. But his sacrifice teaches us that some things are even greater than life itself and these are our country, our culture and our freedom.
He urged people never to forget the sacrifices of martyrs, to respect their families, and to follow their ideals. He encouraged parents to share the stories of heroes like Arvind Sangwan with their children to instill patriotism in them.Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said soldiers are the greatest asset of the country.
It is because of their sacrifices that we feel safe in our homes. He said the government has always prioritized the welfare of martyrs' families and has launched many welfare schemes for them. The Department of Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare has been formed for the welfare of ex-servicemen and Central Armed Police Forces.
The assistance amount for martyr families, which was Rs 20 lakh in 2014, has been increased to Rs 1 crore. 406 dependents of martyrs have been given government jobs on compassionate grounds. Financial assistance for World War II veterans and their widows, which was Rs 3,000 in 2014, has been increased to Rs 10,000 per month.
For ex-servicemen aged 60 and above, their widows, orphans, and war widows of the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, the monthly aid has been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,200.The ex-gratia amount for soldiers disabled during war, terrorism, or other incidents has also been raised from Rs 15 lakh in 2014 to Rs 35 lakh.
He assured that the honour and respect for martyrs and their families will never diminish, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.The Chief Minister urged the youth to take inspiration from bravehearts like Arvind Sangwan. Serving the nation is not limited to joining the Army, we all can serve our country with honesty and dedication in our respective fields, he said.
Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Smt. Shruti Choudhry, MP Ch. Dharambir Singh, MLAs Umed Patuwas and Sunil Sangwan, Shaheed Arvind Sangwan’s father Rajendra Sangwan, and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.