The Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly, Dhirubhai Shah, felicitated Arora for his service to the nation. He also felicitated Mohan Bhasker, a poet, and his wife.

Arora said India should learn from the past and stand united so that countries like Pakistan dare not attack us again. He said that though 50 years have passed since Independence, we have not been able to remove our weaknesses.

``There are many jawans still in Pakistan jails, and I am with you to get them released. And I should be, because we fought on their strength and won,'' he stated.

Speaker Dhirubhai Shah said by felicitating General Arora and Mohan Bhasker, we have brightened the prestige of Rajkot, Gujarat and the whole nation.

Mohan Bhasker read out his patriotic poems.

M.K. Pal, a human rights activist who arranged for Arora's visit to Rajkot on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of our victory over Pakistan, introduced the guests.

Pal vowed to take up the cause of the POWs languishing in Pakistani jails to the Supreme Court. Municipal commissioner Raj Gopal, educationist Pravin Maniar, and others too addressed the audience. Agarsinh Bhatti, R.C. Chauhan, R.C. Bhatt etc too felicitated Arora and Mohan Bhasker on behalf of Hindi Samaj.