NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday addressed soldiers in West Bengal’s Bagdogra and advised them to build a deeper connect with local residents in sensitive border areas.“The more you connect with local people, the weaker the enemy’s plots will become,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.“At the post where you serve, your conduct, your uniform, your language and your restraint shape the army’s image in the minds of local people. The people of Bagdogra and the surrounding areas have great affection for the army. It is also your responsibility to preserve that affection,” he said.Singh underlined the need for discipline and courage, calling them vital qualities for every soldier in the armed forces.“No matter how advanced technology is, if our soldiers lack discipline and courage, it is useless. Our armed forces are known for their discipline. Discipline is what transforms an ordinary soldier into an extraordinary warrior. Your discipline is your greatest strength,” he said.
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“Among the challenges we face today, morale is the greatest weapon. When your morale is high, you can achieve great victories even with a small team. How does morale grow? Morale grows when you know that your country is with you, your leadership is with you,” he added.Bagdogra lies near the strategically significant Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, a narrow strip of land in northern West Bengal that connects mainland India to the northeastern states. The corridor is also in close proximity to the international borders with China, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.