PM Modi hails Indian Army, brands Himachal as 'land of the brave'

Hailing the valour of the Indian Army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the world is talking about the bravery of the Indian Army following India's surgical strikes against terror launch pads last month.

"Everyone is talking about our Army, we used to hear about similar feats of Israel. But now everyone knows Indian Army is no less," he said while addressing a Parivartan Rally in the poll-bound state's Mandi area.

Describing Himachal Pradesh as 'devbhoomi' and a 'veerbhoomi', Prime Minister Modi said that just as Himachal is the land of Gods, it is also a land of bravehearts and there is a tradition of joining Army in every family.

He also said Bharatiya Janata Party's made One Rank One Pension (OROP) a reality at the Mandi rally.

"I had spoken here about OROP when I came here to campaign. Today in this 'veerbhumi', I can say that this right of yours has been given. One Rank One Pension was hanging for 40 years, and it is our Government which completed that work. Not only soldiers but their families bless me. And it makes me want to do more work for them, more work for our soldiers. Himachal Pradesh is a "devbhoomi" and a "veerbhoomi"," he added.

During his day-long visit, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated three state-run mega hydro power projects to Kol Dam (800 mw), Parbati ( 540 mw) and Rampur ( 412 MW) and remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for laying foundation of the three power projects in Himachal Pradesh.

"Projects costing Rs 34 crore three decades ago cost more than Rs 2000 crore now. Through LED bulbs campaign in Himachal, we're able to save approximately Rs 1 crore daily or Rs 3.5 crore yearly. Poorest family in Himachal Pradesh will have a gas connection in the next three years," he said.

Recalling the names of BJP leaders who became chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi said BJP Chief Minister's in the state devoted themselves to people's good. "Shanta Kumar Ji is popularly remembered as 'Paani Wale CM' and Dhumal Ji as 'Grameen Sadak Wale CM'.

This is the Prime Minister's first visit to the hill state since assuming office in 2014. Himachal Pradesh is scheduled to go for election next year along with his home state, Gujarat.