President Visits Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in Tamil Nadu
President Droupadi Murmu visited the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington in Tamil Nadu on November 28. Addressing the student officers and faculty, she said that the DSSC has made commendable contribution to training and educating the potential leaders of the armed forces of India and friendly countries and selected civilian officers. Over the past seven decades, it has played a major role in professionally grooming the middle level officers. It has the unique distinction of having a composite multi-service and multi-national group of student officers and a professionally enriched faculty.
The President said that she was happy to note that women officers were now commanding various units in all the three services. She said that the increasing strength and role of women in all spheres is encouraging and inspiring for all, especially young girls. She expressed hope for witnessing more and more women joining the armed forces, where they can demonstrate exceptional capabilities and break new ground in uncharted territories.
The President said that India is rising, and the world is acknowledging the growth in various sectors, including defence. India is moving towards indigenisation and self-reliance to keep the armed forces ready to meet the future challenges. The country is being developed as a major defence manufacturing hub and is moving towards becoming a reliable defence partner and big defence exporter.
The President said, “In the fast-changing geopolitical environment, we need to be well-prepared to tackle any situation. We not only have to secure our national interests, but also prepare for new national security challenges like cyber warfare and terrorism. Updated knowledge and cutting-edge technologies based on intensive research are required to be applied.” She expressed confidence that this course will prepare student officers for all higher responsibilities and as strategists who can deal with complex situations in an effective manner.
President Murmu appreciated the unique role of the institution in nurturing the future senior leadership of the armed forces. She appreciated the creativity, dedication and the focus with which training is being conducted at the College. Later she interacted with the student officers, including 38 from friendly countries, attending the course at the DSSC. She hailed the role of the international student officers in strengthening the mutual cooperation and relationship of their countries with India and wished them a fruitful and successful stay at DSSC.
The President also laid a wreath at the War Memorial and interacted with ex-servicemen and veer naris. She felicitated the veer naris, acknowledging the supreme sacrifice of their loved ones in the service to the nation. President Murmu was accompanied by minister of backward classes (minister-in-waiting) of Tamil Nadu government Siva V. Meyyanathan and commandant DSSC Lt Gen. Virendra Vats.