Pulwama attack anniversary: PM, leaders across party lines pay tribute to CRPF martyrs
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the nation in paying tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama a year ago and said India will never forget their martyrdom.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Hardeep Puri as well as AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal were among those who remembered those killed when a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel was attacked on February 14 last year.
Modi said the slain security personnel were "exceptional individuals" who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation.
"Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," Modi tweeted.
Remembering those killed in the terror strike, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked who benefitted the most from the attack and what was the outcome of the inquiry into it.
"Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" he asked on Twitter.
A year ago, Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers.
A memorial will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday, a top official said. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the CRPF motto Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty).
CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim demanded justice and asked how 80 kg of RDX had crossed the international border.
"We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth' & exploded in Pulwama. Justice for Pulwama Attack needs to be done," Salim said on Twitter.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the country was united in its fight against terrorism.
"Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace," he said.
Union minister Smriti Irani, said she salutes the "brave sons of mother India".
"On the first anniversary of the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, I join the nation in paying homage to the sacrifice of our soldiers," said her colleague Hardeep Puri.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal called the personnel martyrs and offered them his "heartfelt homage". BJP president J P Nadda also hailed the sacrifice of the CRPF personnel.
"India will always remember their martyrdom. We should all unite to completely end terrorism from its very roots," he said on Twitter.
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India Post launches first ‘Gen Z’ post office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: India Post has launched its first Gen Z Post Office in Bengaluru at the Acharya Institute of Technology, aiming to attract college students in an age dominated by emails, WhatsApp and social media.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express, Harsha MR, Assistant Superintendent, Bengaluru West Division Post Office, said the new post office, officially named Gen Z Post Office, Achit Nagar, Bengaluru (PIN 560107), will be inaugurated on Wednesday. It has been creatively designed and painted with graffiti by students of the institute to make it more appealing to young people.
He said “In the Gen Z post office, we have introduced two categories in one category, students can come and work with our staff and get good experience, know more about the schemes and services available under India Post”. “In another category, they can work with us part time and they will be provided with incentives but it is still in the pipeline and yet to be implemented.”
Harsha said the initiative is meant to bring postal services closer to students, researchers and the campus community. Similar Gen Z post offices are also planned at GITAM University and the National Law School of India University.
According to the report, they can also use the services to communicate with students across the campuses also. Unlike other post offices, it is a blend of physical and digital world giving students WIFI services, air-conditioned rooms and even coffee vending machines which Gen Z prefer to use.
Harsha said student representatives who will be in-charge of the campus work at post offices within the campus are yet to be decided.
“A roster will be prepared and different students will be given tasks to serve at various service counters. A senior post master will be in charge of Gen Z post offices and he will guide the students,” TNIE quoted Harsha as saying.
India Post officials allegedly said similar Gen Z post offices will soon be launched in Bengaluru North, South and East divisions as part of a broader effort to connect with younger generations.
