More than 3,000 young people stepped forward with an unwavering resolve to serve as civil defence volunteers at an event held on Saturday, just hours before the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire.
The event took place amid an ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan. However, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later announced that the DGMOs of both countries had agreed to halt all firing and military action—on land, air, and sea—with effect from 5 PM on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, civil defence enrolment and training camps were conducted at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 and Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, both of which witnessed an overwhelming response from the public.
Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, addressed the gathering, delivering an impassioned speech that resonated deeply with attendees—especially the youth. He addressed them not as mere citizens, but as the protectors of the country’s soul.
Recalling India’s long tradition of unsung heroes who served the nation without rank or recognition, Kataria spoke about the “invisible warriors” of the past—those who, during the wars of 1962, 1965, and 1971, turned schools into bunkers, carried the wounded to safety, and worked tirelessly without expecting any reward.
“They had no medals,” he said. “But they had the heart of India beating inside them.”
Kataria emphasized that while brave soldiers guard India’s borders, it is the responsibility of civil volunteers to safeguard the spirit of the country. “Civil defence is not just a service,” he said, adding, “It is an emotion, a sacred responsibility, a vow to stand up when the motherland calls.”
Addressing the gathering at the Tagore Theatre, the governor made a heartfelt appeal to youngsters, urging them to become the strength behind the frontline. “You are the future of India. But at this moment, you are also its shield,” he said.
At the Tiranga Urban Park, under the tricolour, hundreds of participants took a pledge to serve the country not just during wartime, but in every crisis—be it a disaster or an emergency.
According to an official statement, the governor personally walked up to the volunteers, encouraged them, and reminded them that they are “no less than a soldier.”
The day concluded with the successful enrolment of more than 3,000 civil defence volunteers.
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