VS urges people to join armed forces

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has exhorted more people to join the armed forces and more employed people to join the Territorial Army.

Speaking at a reception given by the government to the Kannur-based 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras here on Monday, Mr. Achuthanandan said joining the armed forces was a matter of patriotism. It was not a mere job but self-dedication.

The Chief Minister lauded the battalion for being selected the best Territorial Army battalion in the country for the third year in a row. It won prizes for this years Republic Day and Army Day parades. It was the only Territorial Army unit deputed by the Union government to restore peace in Sri Lanka. The excellent service rendered by the unit in that country won all-round praise. It was doing excellent service on the Jammu and Kashmir border with Pakistan. The battalion had excelled in the area of sports too, he said.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presided over the function.

Law Minister M. Vijayakumar, Devaswom Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran, Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy,

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, Mayor C. Jayan Babu and V. Sivankutty, MLA, were present at the function.