At LoC, Kalam talks of power of ‘Agni’ within

The President even took a keen interest in the mechanics of the surveillance grid — the unmanned ground sensors, battle field surveillance radars, intruder alarm long-range reconnaissance and monitoring system. He said the situation on the borders was now better than his visit last July.

The President was all praise for the soldiers serving under harsh conditions. ‘‘Do you know what it is like being deployed on LoC?’’ he asked a mediaperson when asked about the security situation on the border. ‘‘When we sleep at night the Army defend our borders,’’ said Kalam.

Kalam spoke to the jawans on the importance of the “inner Agni”, rather than the missile. ‘‘The power of Agni is within you. When there’s a challenge, you destroy injustice, the enemy and evil design,’’ Kalam told the jawans.

He said the Indian soldier would soon become a ‘‘smart soldier’’, equipped with electronic gadgetry, lighter and high-performance weapons. They would also be provided high-calorie food and ‘‘intelligent clothing’’ to meet temperature variance.

Lance Naik Sajad Majid of 15 JAK RIF shared the table with the President for lunch, along with several others. ‘‘This is the best award I have received,’’ said Majid. Kalam asked soldiers over lunch if they had any problems. ‘‘We are happy performing our duty,’’ was all they said.

‘‘This is what an Indian jawan is. He will never complain and continue serving the nation,’’ cut in Army Chief General N.C. Vij.