Residents salute valour of soldiers

LUDHIANA: Instead of bursting crackers, several city residents on Sunday preferred to spend time with soldiers expressing gratitude and solidarity for their sacrifices while protecting the country from incessant terrorist activities and attacks.

President of Ludhiana petroleum dealers association

Ranjit Singh Gandhi

said members of the association had decided not to celebrate Diwali just by bursting crackers and adding to the pollution levels in the city. "We decided to celebrate Diwali with some members of the Armed Forces. For this, we went to Dholewal military complex and spent time with the soldiers who are away from their families. We wanted them to feel as if they were among their family members. We requested them regarding the same and they agreed to it," he added.

Another member of the organization

Kamal Sharma

said they were greeted by the soldiers with a lot of warmth and all of them were excited to see their group. "These soldiers served us with tea and pakoras that we enjoyed with them. We had also taken some baskets of fruits, 50 kg of sweets and earthen lamps that we gifted to the brigade members," he said.

Sunpreet Karam Singh

, a petrol pump owner from Rose Enclave of Civil Lines, said the atmosphere was charged with patriotic fervour and they also raised slogans like 'Bharat Mata Kee Jai'. "One thing that I will never forget was their hand shake. Their hands are as strong as iron. The soldiers took really good care of us," he said.

Another member Manjeet Singh said they thanked the soldiers for protecting them and their families. They shared with the soldiers as to how the sacrifices made by the Army were being seen by the people and it had full backing of the people of the country.