Citizen warriors as crucial to nation's security as military: Gen Dwivedi

Indore: ‘Citizen warriors' have a great responsibility towards the nation's security, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said in Indore on Monday, pointing out that modern wars are not just fought by soldiers but by the nation as a whole.

"The Russia-Ukraine war has shown us that the entire nation goes to war. In Ukraine, we have seen that every citizen has been fighting this war as a responsible soldier," General Dwivedi said.

"Commitment towards the nation always remains unwavering. War is not just for the military alone. Now, it is the other way round. It is fought by the entire nation. Everybody plays an important role — space warriors, cyber warriors, info warriors, plus so many indirect supporters," he said after inaugurating the new campus of Softvision College on Monday.

Discussing India's future, General Dwivedi said that the youth will play a vital role in achieving the nation's vision of becoming a developed country by 2047. "By 2030, India is expected to be the world's third-largest economy, and by 2047, we aspire to be at the forefront globally. The key to this transformation lies in channeling the energy of our youth in the right direction," he said, adding that Indian Army is committed to achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

"We have embarked upon a decade of transformation — evolving into a modern, agile and adaptive technology-enabled, future-ready force. We have aligned ourselves with Viksit Bharat 2047 and have divided it into three parts: Decade of transformation 2032, consolidation till 2037 and decade of excellence 2047," he said.

General Dwivedi, who is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, urged students to never give up being curious as it is the "foundation for innovation".

"Innovation has been an intrinsic part of Indian history. The young generation must challenge existing mindsets and foster innovation. Never let go of your curiosity; it is the foundation of innovation and progress," said Dwivedi

He said that the greatest opportunity for youth today is the ability to "learn, unlearn, and relearn", as it will enable them to keep abreast of changing times and embrace new opportunities. "This generation can pave the way for new possibilities, opportunities, and successes by making the best use of knowledge, experience, and innovation," he added.

He shared a success formula based on the principles of ‘2 Cs' — commitment and communication — along with ‘3 As' – ability, attitude, and adaptability.

"These five principles are key to achieving success and contributing to a secure and empowered India," he said, remarking that education is not just a means to a better life but life itself.

Quoting American philosopher John Dewey to reinforce that learning extends beyond textbooks and classrooms, he said: "Education is not just about personal growth but about uplifting society as a whole. Values, patience and skill development are crucial aspects of a well-rounded education."

Indian Army is not just a guardian of the nation's borders but also a significant contributor to nation-building and socio-economic progress, he said.

General Dwivedi said that the Army operates 300 Army schools, 12 professional colleges, and 37 Army Welfare Schools across the country. These institutions provide education in areas affected by terrorism or other challenges where children often face educational disruptions. "Education is the foundation of progress, and we are committed to ensuring that no child is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control," he said.

Additionally, the Army runs 32 Asha Schools for specially-abled children and 148 schools for students from economically weaker sections, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive education, he added.

Indore: ‘Citizen warriors' have a great responsibility towards the nation's security, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said in Indore on Monday, pointing out that modern wars are not just fought by soldiers but by the nation as a whole.

"The Russia-Ukraine war has shown us that the entire nation goes to war. In Ukraine, we have seen that every citizen has been fighting this war as a responsible soldier," General Dwivedi said.

"Commitment towards the nation always remains unwavering. War is not just for the military alone. Now, it is the other way round. It is fought by the entire nation. Everybody plays an important role — space warriors, cyber warriors, info warriors, plus so many indirect supporters," he said after inaugurating the new campus of Softvision College on Monday.

Discussing India's future, General Dwivedi said that the youth will play a vital role in achieving the nation's vision of becoming a developed country by 2047. "By 2030, India is expected to be the world's third-largest economy, and by 2047, we aspire to be at the forefront globally. The key to this transformation lies in channeling the energy of our youth in the right direction," he said, adding that Indian Army is committed to achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

"We have embarked upon a decade of transformation — evolving into a modern, agile and adaptive technology-enabled, future-ready force. We have aligned ourselves with Viksit Bharat 2047 and have divided it into three parts: Decade of transformation 2032, consolidation till 2037 and decade of excellence 2047," he said.

General Dwivedi, who is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa, urged students to never give up being curious as it is the "foundation for innovation".

"Innovation has been an intrinsic part of Indian history. The young generation must challenge existing mindsets and foster innovation. Never let go of your curiosity; it is the foundation of innovation and progress," said Dwivedi

He said that the greatest opportunity for youth today is the ability to "learn, unlearn, and relearn", as it will enable them to keep abreast of changing times and embrace new opportunities. "This generation can pave the way for new possibilities, opportunities, and successes by making the best use of knowledge, experience, and innovation," he added.

He shared a success formula based on the principles of ‘2 Cs' — commitment and communication — along with ‘3 As' – ability, attitude, and adaptability.

"These five principles are key to achieving success and contributing to a secure and empowered India," he said, remarking that education is not just a means to a better life but life itself.

Quoting American philosopher John Dewey to reinforce that learning extends beyond textbooks and classrooms, he said: "Education is not just about personal growth but about uplifting society as a whole. Values, patience and skill development are crucial aspects of a well-rounded education."

Indian Army is not just a guardian of the nation's borders but also a significant contributor to nation-building and socio-economic progress, he said.

General Dwivedi said that the Army operates 300 Army schools, 12 professional colleges, and 37 Army Welfare Schools across the country. These institutions provide education in areas affected by terrorism or other challenges where children often face educational disruptions. "Education is the foundation of progress, and we are committed to ensuring that no child is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control," he said.

Additionally, the Army runs 32 Asha Schools for specially-abled children and 148 schools for students from economically weaker sections, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive education, he added.