Union minister G. Kishan Reddy addressed the 188th Raising Day ceremony of the Assam Rifles in Shillong on Friday at it Headquarter of the Director General of the Assam Rifles (DGAR) at Laitkor, Shillong in Meghalaya.

In his address as Chief Guest, the Minister of Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Culture & Tourism said that Assam Rifles has an unparallel heritage of gallantry since 1835 and holds a distinction of having been bestowed the most number of gallantry awards. He further added that this unique distinction has been made possible through the supreme sacrifice of the Brave hearts of the Force in the line of duty.

Reddy said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Amrit Kaal will establishe the North East region as the growth engine of India. In line with this vision, a new era has begun in the North East region and development has grown rapidly in all sectors, be it infrastructure, connectivity, peace and stability and the Assam Rifles has a major contribution in achieving this new paradigm for the North East Region, he added.

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He further added that this era of peace being witnessed in the region has enabled country to realise the real potential of NER and to confidently showcase its strengths in different sectors to the world community during the various G20 summits being held across North Eastern States. He also said that these G20 conferences being held across the region, will help position the Ashtalakshmi States as Growth centres of India.

The Union minister also lauded the efforts of the force during disaster management operations and appreciated that the force has been deputed as a unit of NDRF due to their rare show of strength and team work during such times.

Reddy appreciated Assam Rifle efforts for combating Drug trafficking and smuggling of other contraband in NER.

HON’BLE MINISTER OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND DoNER ADDRESSES ALL RANKS OF ASSAM RIFLES
Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, on his visit to HQ DGAR, Shillong, on 24 Mar, addressed all ranks of the Assam Rifles on the occasion of Assam Rifles Day. pic.twitter.com/IM6OxMRV6e

— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) March 24, 2023

The Minister also exhorted the rifle women of the force and lauded their contributions not just in India but in peacekeeping forces across the world and becoming symbols of India’s Nari Shakti.

He further said that Assam Rifles has on many occasions gone beyond the call of duty and have enthusiastically participated in various civic action projects such as medical camps, women empowerment schemes, national integration tours etc. These engagements have massively helped the local population, he added.

The Minister said that the force is rightly called the ‘Sentinels of North East’ and ‘Friends of the Hill People’ for dedication, passion and sacrifices made for security and stability in the region.

Earlier, the minister of DoNER laid a wreath at the Assam Rifles War Memorial in Shillong to pay homage to the Bravehearts of the Force who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.