Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the Territorial Army’s contribution is crucial in furthering the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s vision of a ‘developed India’. In his address while chairing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence here on Thursday, he said while the role of the defence forces primarily revolves around security- aspects, the Territorial Army also contributes in other areas like environmental protection and social work.
The Territorial Army has approximately 44,000 personnel and 59 diverse units.
In fact, the meeting focused on the Territorial Army. The Territorial Army is a trained, motivated, and empowered force, comprising approximately 44,400 personnel and 59 diverse units. Rajnath Singh said, “The Territorial Army is a living example of the ‘citizen-soldier’ concept. Its members, while engaged in non-military duties, wear uniforms to defend borders and maintain internal security.”
The Territorial Army is a living example of the ‘citizen-soldier’ concept.
The Defence Minister emphasized that the Territorial Army enhances the capability of the Defence Forces by creating a reserve of trained soldiers who can be quickly deployed when required. He said that when personnel return to civilian life after completing their tenure, they act as a vibrant bridge between society and the Army, inspiring people, especially the youth, to join the Defence Forces.
He said that the force plays a frontline role in providing immediate relief and assistance during natural disasters. He commended their role in carrying out relief and rescue operations and providing medical assistance to those in need during the floods in Kerala, the cyclone in Odisha, and the recent floods in Assam.
Ecological Task Forces have planted around 10 crore saplings so far
Appreciating their contribution to environmental management and climate change mitigation, Rajnath Singh said that the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Forces have planted approximately 100 million saplings so far, of which 80-85 percent have survived. He said that this green initiative is realizing the Prime Minister’s ‘Mission Life’ and ‘Panchamrit’ goals at the grassroots level. He also praised the efforts of the Territorial Army deployed in Jammu and Kashmir in taking the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to new heights.
During the meeting, senior officers briefed the committee members in detail on the mandate, role, and key achievements of the Territorial Army. The committee members provided valuable suggestions to further strengthen the force and enhance its overall effectiveness.
