Lucknow. Proactive Political leadership and an effective defence diplomacy are key to India’s preparedness against threat posed by hostile neighbours, specially China. Speaking at a panel discussion ‘RAKSHA” organized by Utthan Education Trust and CII-YI at Hotel Taj, top defence experts of the nation deliberated on India’s military preparedness specially against China. Major General G D Bakshi, Major General Ravi Arora, Maj General Deepak Kumar Mehta, Air Marshal Bharat Kumar, Vice Admiral Pradeep Kaushiva and Defence Expert Maroof Raza discussed at length the present position of India’s Military capabilities and policies. Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, President, All India Anti Terrorist Front was the Chief Guest of the event. After the panel discussion, Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, Chief Trustee of Utthan Education Trust Ram Puri and Subhadra Puri honoured the families of twenty one  martyrs by presenting them with a momento and cheques of Rs. Eleven thousand each.

In the panel discussion, Maj Gen Ravi Arora expressed concern overv the recent infrastructure development by China in Tibet. He said that the network of highways and railways being developed by China along the borders has increased the threat perception manifold. He said that China has deployed missiles at sdtrategic locations and India needs to respond by developing its own infrastructure. Maj Gen G D Bakshi said that Economy is the key issue that will decide when China would engage in a war with India. He said that target of China is both Eastern and Western War zone and India should be extra cautious as China could engage in conflict with India through Pakistan specially in the Laddakh region. Strategic and International Relations Expert Maroof Raza said that India needs a proactive political leadership as China is using locations in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar to target India. The diplomatic approach towards China should also come out of age of the Nehruvian era and defence diplomacy is the need of the hour. Air Marshal Bharat Kumar said that defence procurement needs a complete overhaul and Indian Army needs to be prepared for any eventuality.

After the panel discussion, Chief Guest Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, Chief Trustee of Utthan Education Trust Ram Puri and Subhadra Puri honoured the families of the martyrs with a momento and cheque of Rs. Eleven Thousand Rupees each. Those who were honoured included families of Late Sub. T B Chaudhary, Late Sep. Sunil Kumar, Late Sep. Anand Prakash, Late. Nk. Chanan singh, Late. Nk Chaudhari Himanshu, Late Hav. Uday Pratap, Late Sep. Jitendra Singh, Late Hav. Anil Kumar Tiwari, Late Sep. Ram Kishore Pandey, Late. Hav. Suresh Pal, Hav. Shivram Vishkarma, Late Sep. Prakash Chandra Bahuguna, Late Hav. Indra Kumar Sharma, Late Sep. Parmeshwar Deen Pandey, Sep. Kartar Singh, Shaheed Sep. Sunil Jung, Shaheed L. Nk. Kevlanand Diwedi, Shaheed Capt. Manoj pandey, Shaheed Capt. Sunil Chandra, Shaheed Maj. Prateek Mishra and Late L/Nk Raghwendra Shukla. Maninderjeet Singh Bitta said that whatever that is being done for the families of the martyrs should be welcomed and supported. He said that it is only because of the supreme sacrifices made by our soldiers that we are safe. He said that terror attack is looming large on India before the visit of US President Barrack Obama and India should enter into strategic partnership with the US to counter terror supported by Pakistan. He also said that Indian Army should be given a free hand for giving befitting reply to Pakistani aggression.

Earlier, the panelists were welcomed by Founder Chairperson of CII YI Gaurav Prakash and Chief Trustee of Utthan Education Trust Ram Puri. Chairman of CII UP State Council Sachin Agrawal thanked the participants and the guests.  Senior Congress Leader Reeta Bahuguna Joshi and many other distinguished guests were present on the occasion.