Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan addresses Agniveers of the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre

By R Anil Kumar

• Agniveers are not just soldiers but also leaders, innovators and defenders of the Nation’s sovereignty: CDS Anil Chauhan

• General Officer underscored the complexity and unpredictability of future conflicts to include Cyber Warfare, Artificial Intelligence and Asymmetric Threats which are now an integral part of the battlefield

• Agniveers every step will lead to their personal growth and deep sense of pride in serving the Nation: Chief of Defence staff

Bengaluru, May 20. Gen Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) visited The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre on May 20 to address the Agniveers, a cohort of young individuals committed to embodying the values of service and citizenship as they embark on their military journey.

With a blend of wisdom, conviction and foresight, the General Officer’s words resonated deeply, setting the tone for a transformative experience ahead. In his address, he underscored the noble purpose of military service and its pivotal role within the Military Framework. He deliberated that the Agniveers are not just soldiers but also leaders, innovators and defenders of the Nation’s sovereignty.

Addressing the evolving nature of the warfare, the General Officer underscored the complexity and unpredictability of future conflicts to include Cyber Warfare, Artificial Intelligence and Asymmetric Threats which are now an integral part of the battlefield. He also spoke about technology integration and continuous learning and mentioned that in addition of staying abreast with the latest advancements, there is also a need to showcase innovative approach towards combat.

The General Officer expressed his gratitude for the commitment made by Agniveers by choosing the Armed Forces as a Profession which is a Testament to their Exceptional Duty towards the Nation. He acknowledged the personal challenges faced by the soldiers and their families and the hardships they endure while operating in the challenging environments.

He assured that despite the challenges, the Agniveers will find their journey immensely rewarding and their every step will lead to their personal growth and deep sense of pride in serving the Nation. Furthermore, the CDS lauded the Regimental Centre and the team of instructors for creating a conducive environment for training and ensuring that best of the training is being imparted to the Agniveers.

He also emphasized the critical role of professional instructors in shaping the future of Armed Forces. The General Officer also emphasised that the quality of training directly impacts the operational readiness and urged to be honest towards it.

In his closing remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff extended his best wishes to the Agniveers for their future endeavours. He encouraged them to continue striving for excellence, to uphold the values of integrity and honour, and to serve as role models for their peers. He also stressed upon the importance of remaining steadfast in their commitment to nation building and to make a positive impact.

As the visit concluded, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of pride and optimism. The Agniveers, inspired by the words of the General, reaffirmed their dedication to the principles of selflessness and service to the motherland.