Gorakhpur: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday to attend the annual ‘Vyakhyanmala’ commemorating the death anniversaries of Mahant Digvijaynath Maharaj and Mahant Avedyanath Maharaj.
During the event, he addressed a session on “National Security Challenges Facing India” in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Highlighting the complexity of India’s security environment, General Chauhan noted that the country shares borders with seven nations, making its strategic landscape highly sensitive.
“Terrorism remains a significant challenge. While its impact has lessened, new and unconventional threats are emerging, often in ways that are not immediately visible,” he said.
Earlier, the former head of the Defence Studies Department at Gorakhpur University reflected on Mahant Digvijaynath’s contributions to education and public life, emphasizing their continued relevance today.
General Chauhan had arrived in Gorakhpur on Thursday, joining CM Adityanath for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the renovated Gorkha War Memorial and the Gorkha Museum, and offered prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple.
Describing the day as “historic and significant,” the CDS recalled the establishment of the Gorkha Recruitment Depot in Kunraghat (then Kudaghat) in 1886. “Gorkha soldiers demonstrated unparalleled courage during the First World War, with nearly 20,000 laying down their lives,” he said.
The century-old memorial, now undergoing renovation, aims to preserve three key legacies: the exceptional bravery of Gorkha soldiers, the deep bond between Gorkhas and the Indian Army, and the enduring strength of India-Nepal relations.
