11-17-2005, 03:04 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Kalam's unique tribute to '71 war hero </b>
Pioneer News Service / New Delhi
President APJ Abdul Kalam, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in a novel way paid tributes on Wednesday to a young 1971 war hero. He made schoolchildren at Vigyan Bhawan take oath to show courage, shun temptation and work for the nation.
Recalling the supreme sacrifice made by armoured corps officer Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal in 1971 India-Pakistan war, Dr Kalam asking the students to take the pledge "to strive to work for a prosperous, happy and safe nation".
Delivering a memorial lecture on the theme of Courage in the Face of Adversity, the President said, "I salute his (Khetrapal's) supreme sacrifice and know he will be a role model for all youth, particularly officers and jawans serving in the armed forces."
The 21-year-old Khetrapal was awarded Paramvir Chakra for his heroic deeds in the Shakargarh sector.
The President stood up at the end of his 30-minute lecture, while the vote of thanks was being delivered, and said he wanted the children among the audience to take oath.
The President made the school children repeat after him: <b>"Courage to defend the Nation. Courage to innovate. Courage to invent. Courage to overcome suffering and succeed are the traits that led to growth of human civilisation." </b>
In another touching gesture, Khetrapal's 80-year-old mother M Khetrapal came on the dias to receive a memento from Dr Kalam and hugged him.
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Pioneer News Service / New Delhi
President APJ Abdul Kalam, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in a novel way paid tributes on Wednesday to a young 1971 war hero. He made schoolchildren at Vigyan Bhawan take oath to show courage, shun temptation and work for the nation.
Recalling the supreme sacrifice made by armoured corps officer Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal in 1971 India-Pakistan war, Dr Kalam asking the students to take the pledge "to strive to work for a prosperous, happy and safe nation".
Delivering a memorial lecture on the theme of Courage in the Face of Adversity, the President said, "I salute his (Khetrapal's) supreme sacrifice and know he will be a role model for all youth, particularly officers and jawans serving in the armed forces."
The 21-year-old Khetrapal was awarded Paramvir Chakra for his heroic deeds in the Shakargarh sector.
The President stood up at the end of his 30-minute lecture, while the vote of thanks was being delivered, and said he wanted the children among the audience to take oath.
The President made the school children repeat after him: <b>"Courage to defend the Nation. Courage to innovate. Courage to invent. Courage to overcome suffering and succeed are the traits that led to growth of human civilisation." </b>
In another touching gesture, Khetrapal's 80-year-old mother M Khetrapal came on the dias to receive a memento from Dr Kalam and hugged him.
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