Following is the English rendering of the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony’s address to the Armed Forces personnel broadcast over All India Radio on the eve of Independence Day:-

“Dear Jawans and all other members of our Armed Forces,

Our nation celebrates the 63rd Independence Day tomorrow. On the eve of this auspicious occasion, I pay my tributes and also convey my heartiest greetings to all the personnel of the three wings our Armed Forces – both uniformed and civilians.

Our Armed Forces maintain vigil on our borders at great personal risk and sacrifices. You guard our land, sea and air frontiers in the most adverse climatic conditions and in inhospitable terrain. You live away from your families, making your task all the more difficult.

We are living in times when economic recession and security are making increased demands on nations and societies. Last year’s terror attack on Mumbai showed us the extent of damage that can be inflicted on any nation’s economy and the social fabric. It is therefore, extremely important that our Armed Forces maintain eternal vigil – at all times.

Post-26/11, our Government has taken several steps to strengthen our security apparatus. Coastal security has been beefed up, with acquisitions of new systems and platforms. Besides the three wings of our Armed Forces, Coast Guard too has an important role in strengthening the coastal security. In the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, the Coast Guard has set up a GPS Fisheries Alert System, which would be of great utility to our fishermen. Coast Guard must complement Navy’s efforts in providing aid to merchant vessels and also check smuggling. We also want to equip and strengthen coastal police stations along our coastline. However, all the concerned security agencies will have to work in close coordination. We continue to be firm in our resolve to defend our borders at all costs.

Armed Forces all over the world are modernising and becoming technology-intensive. Our Government remains committed to the modernization of our Armed Forces. However, the modernization process must go hand-in-hand with indigenisation. We are firm in our resolve to provide our Armed Forces with the latest equipment, but at the same time, we must reduce our dependence on foreign products. Here, I would like to particularly mention the development of INS Arihant – the indigenous nuclear submarine. Our short-term and long-term aim should be to make such examples the norm.

Dear jawans, despite all odds, our Armed Forces and all the other security agencies have been doing a commendable job. The recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted peacefully, due to the combined efforts of the local population and our Armed Forces. The successful and peaceful conduct of Amarnath Yatra is another example of your tireless efforts. It is largely due to your endeavour that several misguided youth have returned to the mainstream, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. Our Armed Forces have also undertaken several welfare programmes in the North-Eastern states. I once again compliment all our security forces – particularly our Armed Forces.

We accord top priority to the welfare of our service personnel, as well as ex-servicemen. We have launched several welfare schemes to boost the morale of our forces. Welfare schemes for the local people in the border areas like ‘Sadbhavna’ scheme have had a positive impact on their lives. Our Government has considerably improved the pay and allowances, while approving the award of the 6th CPC and significantly improved the pension scheme for the well-being of our service personnel.

Recently, the Government has also constituted the Armed Forces Tribunal for the welfare of our Armed Forces personnel. The Tribunal would exclusively deal with pending court cases of the Service personnel. The Principal Bench of the Tribunal would be in New Delhi and it would have eight Benches spread across the country.

Our Government has also granted permanent commission to women in non-combatant roles. Changes like these require a changed mindset. I am sure that our Armed Forces will help us in taking forward all these welfare schemes to their logical conclusion.

In our effort to further improve the living conditions of jawans, the Government has laid special emphasis on Married Accommodation Project (MAP). Under the project, a total of 1, 98, 881 dwelling units at a cost of Rs. 17357.97 crore are to be constructed in four phases. In the Ist phase, 57, 875 dwelling units are to be completed, out of which 39, 693 units have been completed. The construction of 66, 727 dwelling units at a cost of Rs. 9, 395.71 crore is being taken up in the IInd phase of the project this year.

Dear jawans, the nation is proud of your sacrifice in securing our country’s borders. It is therefore, our collective duty to take care of your family members.

I once again greet you on the eve of the Independence Day and convey my heartiest greetings and sincere wishes for a happy and a bright future.

Jai Hind”.