Dehradun, Dec. 17 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said India now responds to every act of aggression with decisive force, asserting that "every bullet fired by the enemy is being answered with shells." Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, the Chief Minister said the country had emerged as a "new India" that gives a fitting reply to eery nefarious act of its enemies avnd neutralises them in their own strongholds. Dhami was speaking at a tribute and felicitation ceremony at Gandhi Park in Dehradun to mark Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's historic victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war and paid homage to the bravehearts, and their families, by laying a wreath at the Shaheed Smarak. Extending Vijay Diwas greetings on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand, Dhami said the day symbolises the unparalleled valour, sacrifice and devotion of the Indian Armed Forces. "The bravery and supreme sacrifice of our soldiers in the 1971 war safeguarded the unity, integrity and self-respect of the nation. This glorious saga of courage is etched in golden letters in the pages of our history," he said. Recalling the scale of India's victory, Dhami said nearly 93,000 Pakistani soldiers had surrendered to the Indian Army during the war. He noted that Uttarakhand made a significant contribution, with 248 soldiers from the state laying down their life for the nation. "Seventy-four soldiers from Uttarakhand were honoured with gallantry awards for their exceptional courage and valour. Almost every family in the state has a member serving in the armed forces," he said. Dhami said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the armed forces were being equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern weapons. He added that India had joined the ranks of leading defence equipment exporters. Referring to Operation Sindhu, Dhami said the mission showcased the strength of Indian soldiers and indigenous defence technology. "Weapons manufactured in India, such as the Akash missile, advanced defence systems and the BrahMos missile, have demonstrated India's military prowess to the world," he said. The CM also outlined central initiatives for soldiers' welfare, including implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme, construction of the National War Memorial, enhancement of the defence budget and strengthening of border infrastructure. He added that the Uttarakhand government, under the Prime Minister's guidance, was working with dedication for the welfare of soldiers and their families. Dhami said the state government had increased the ex gratia amount for dependents of bravehearts from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.50 lakh. There had also been a significant hike in the lump-sum and annuity payments for soldiers decorated with gallantry awards. The ex-gratia for Param Vir Chakra awardees has been raised from Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1.5 crore, for Ashok Chakra recipients from Rs.30 lakh to Rs.50 lakh, for Maha Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakra from Rs.20 lakh to Rs.35 lakh, and for Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra awardees from Rs.15 lakh to Rs.25 lakh. He further said the government had decided to provide a job to one member of a martyr's family, with the application period extended from two years to five years. Additional welfare measures include pre-employment training for dependents of bravehearts, marriage grants for daughters, free travel on state-run buses for gallantry award-winning soldiers and ex-servicemen, and a 25% exemption on stamp duty for property purchases up to Rs.25 lakh by serving and retired soldiers. He also announced that a grand military memorial is being constructed in Guniyal village of Dehradun. At the event, Dhami said government vehicles would be provided to all five offices of the Directorate of Soldier Welfare and the District Soldier Welfare Offices at Didihat, Herbertpur, Pithoragarh and Haridwar. Minister for sainik welfare Ganesh Joshi said around 4,000 soldiers were killed and nearly 9,000 wounded in the 1971 war, including 248 bravehearts from Uttarakhand. "Honouring soldiers is the duty of every citizen. The central and state governments are working together for the welfare of soldiers, and under Chief Minister Dhami's leadership, the ex-gratia for bravehearts' families has been increased to Rs.50 lakh," Joshi said....