RSS celebrates 20th year of Pokhran nuclear test

On the occasion of Navsamvarsar, the Hindu New year, a massive programme was held at Pokhran in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan to commemorate the 20th year of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests conducted in May 1998.

Organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the event named 'Jagrut Hindu Mahasangam' comprised of a 'path sanchalan' (foot march), a public rally and another event to honour the families of Army martyrs from Jaisalmer. The events focused on nationalism and the issue of national security in the border regions.

The huge 'path sanchalan' moved in from three directions to merge at o central point before the public rally took place.

Major General (Retd) G D Bakshi while addressing the public rally said that India is a power to reckon with in the present times and it commands respect. The Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS, Suresh Chandra, called upon the people to strengthen the Hindu religion and develop a sense of pride for their religious identity.

The families of martyrs from Jaisalmer were also honoured on the occasion. While martyrs since 1965 were included, no martyr from the minority community was included.

POKHRAN-II TESTS

• Three nuclear tests were conducted in Pokhran, which has always been depicted as symbolic of nationalism, between May 11 and 13 in 1998.
   
• The tests were conducted under the aegis of former President APJ Abdul Kalam Azad who was then associated with the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
   
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India in 1988.