Jammu: Lauding the "exemplary" role played by Army and paramilitary forces in safeguarding the country and its frontiers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (Jan 20, 2004) said their sacrifices would always be remembered by people of India.

"We are proud of our Army and paramilitary forces for the exemplary role played by them in safeguarding the country and its frontiers by their sacrifices," Gandhi told a State Council Conference of 'Sadhbavana Ke Sipahi' (SKS) in Jammu.

Honouring Param Vir Chakra Awardee, Subedar Bana Singh, hero of the capture of Siachen glacier in 1984 'Meghdoot' operation, Gandhi said these Forces will continue to serve their motherland under all types of circumstances and their sacrifices would always be remembered by people of the country.

The AICC (All India Congress Committee) chief, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said though India is a country of different religions, "it is unity in diversity which has kept us together".

"It is due to secularism that India is today the biggest democracy in the world," the Congress chief said.

Lamenting that vested interests were trying to disintegrate the country, she said, "But the people of India believe in teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, who sacrificed their lives for the country."