India would not have faced “reverses” against China in 1962 if the country had a strong leadership: Arunachal Pradesh Governor

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B. D. Mishra on Saturday (November 20) said India would not have faced "reverses" against China in 1962 if the country back then had strong leadership. A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar read this. The governor asked the exhorting Army personnel to prepare for any eventuality along the borders with China.

Addressing a Sainik Sammelan'' at the operational base of the 14th battalion of Rajput Regiment in Changlang district, the governor pointed out that the country should never lower its guard.

"If India had a strong leadership in 1962, we would not have had any reverses against China. Now, the field equations have changed. India is one of the most powerful armed forces in the world. However, we should not lower our guards. Every soldier must prepare himself for any eventuality on our borders," the governor said, addressing the soldiers, the statement says.

Mishra also said that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is always concerned about the welfare of Army personnel.

There is a sea change in the attitude of the government towards the security forces. Now the apex political leadership is highly concerned about the wellbeing of security personnel," Governor B. D. Mishra said.

He called upon the personnel to maintain discipline, train themselves hard and share a friendly relationship with civilians.

He said that if the men in uniform are determined, they will be successful in all their endeavours. The governor, who had participated in the 1965 India-Pakistan war with the regiment as a company commander, lauded the proficiency of the battalion and its soldiers.

As a token of appreciation, Mishra also contributed to the regiment's 'Bara Khana' on this occasion, the statement said.