Kirti Chakra awardee Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram has hailed India as a country that offers equal opportunities irrespective of one’s background, while urging young people to serve the nation with honesty and work towards eliminating corruption from public life.
Addressing students at an event, the decorated soldier said India’s democratic system allowed ordinary citizens from humble backgrounds to rise to the highest constitutional and political offices, unlike many other countries.
“I would say India. Why? Because here we have been given complete freedom. Can we go to Dubai, stand in politics, and become president there? No, we cannot. Can we become one in Russia? No, we cannot. Because there it is one leader, one policy. Here, anyone can do whatever they want; that freedom exists.”
Highlighting what he described as India’s openness and inclusiveness, Meenatchi Sundaram pointed to leaders who had risen from modest backgrounds to occupy the country’s highest offices.
“For example, take the Indian President right now. She is from a tribal community, from a hill-dwelling community, and she is the President of India. A man who used to work in a tea shop is now the Prime Minister. A good actor is now the Chief Minister. No other country gives this opportunity or this freedom to anyone else. Only India has this.”
The Kirti Chakra awardee encouraged students to contribute towards the country’s progress and maintain integrity regardless of the profession they chose.
“So, you too should, to the best of your ability, fight for this country and for peace. At least some of you should come forward with us. There are two or three students who are interested; later, you should also try to join us somehow not only in our organization, but also, whether you go into the police or any other government department, you should be honest there. First, corruption must be removed. There should be no corruption.”
Speaking about governance and public administration, Meenatchi Sundaram said corruption discouraged talented individuals from entering public life and called for systemic reforms.
“The main reason talented people do not come forward is corruption, collection, commission, things like that. This is what you must address first. I believe the current government, the newly formed government, will do a bit of this. There are many youngsters. Let us see how their governance is.”
He concluded by urging the students to make full use of the opportunities available to them and strive to bring honour to their institution and the country.
“You too should achieve something, as much as possible, and, as the sir here told you, they are saying they will take care of everything, from motivation to all support. I think you should bring pride to this college, this town, our town, our country, and Tamil Nadu.”
“டீக்கடையில் வேலை பார்த்தவர் இன்று நாட்டின் பிரதமர்.. நல்லா நடிக்கத் தெரிந்த Actor, இன்று CM ஆக இருக்கிறார்..
இந்த வாய்ப்பும் சுதந்திரமும் இந்தியாவில் மட்டும்தான் இருக்கிறது”- கீர்த்தி சக்ரா விருது பெற்ற ராணுவ வீரர் மீனாட்சி சுந்தரம்#PMModi | #CMVijay | #MeenakshiSundaram pic.twitter.com/5BBfzuegaf— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) June 25, 2026
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