Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR/ KARGIL, July 26: Emotional scenes were witnessed as the troops and family members of the 1999 Kargil martyrs besides common people paid floral tributes at the Drass Martyrs Memorial on the 14th Vijay Diwas today.
Senior Army officers, all other ranks besides some family members of martrys and civilians paid tributes to the martyrs, who laid down their lives to push back the Pakistani intruders after they had occupied almost all heights in Drass and Kargil sectors during the winter when Indian troops had withdrawn as per agreement between the two sides.
A number of other functions were also organised to celebrate the victory not only at Drass or Kargil but across the State in this connection.
A Defence Ministry spokesman said the 14th ‘Operation Vijay Diwas’ celebrations culminated in Drass this afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the proceedings opened with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Drass War Memorial led by the Chief guest Lt Gen Sanjeev Chachra, GOC-in-C Northern Command and other serving and retired officers, gallantry award winners of the Kargil conflict and next of kin of martyrs, amongst them were the parents of Late Capt Vijayant Thapar.
The martyrs were then paid an all-religion homage by priests of all major religions.
The sombre mood at the ceremony brought home to many the losses borne so proudly by the families that lost their sons, husbands or brothers in that bloody summer of 1999.
A First Day Cover was also released commemorating the event. The event was celebrated with full military decorum and solemnity.
Addressing the gathering, General Chachra thanked the contribution of the Nation and the gallant martyrs who made the victory possible. It was the Army’s modest homage to the martyrs and a way of remembering the contribution of the units and the formations which had participated in the conflict and given India its finest victory in recent times.
The Srinagar based Chinar Corps also celebrated 14th anniversary of Vijay Divas at its headquarters today. GOC of the Corps, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh laid wreath at the War Memorial and paid floral tributes to the martyrs. While addressing officers and jawans , the GOC said, “It is day of divine reverence for all of us. We re-dedicate ourselves to the cause for which 527 brave hearts laid down their lives, serving the cause of National security.’’
Cross Sword Division also organized a function on the occasion at Akhnoor where GOC, Maj Gen Rustam Patnaik and other ranks paid rich tributes to the martyrs at the War memorial. The notes of the bugle playing the ‘Last –Post’ were a testimony to the valour and the supreme sacrifice of those martyrs and brought back solemn memories of those days.
Dagger Artillery Brigade also celebrated wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the fourteenth anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
In its statement, the brigade said that wreaths were laid on the memorial by Major General VG Khandare, SM General Officer Commanding, 19 Infantry Division and Deputy GOC 19 Infantry Division Brig Jitendra Sandhu to pay homage to the gallant soldiers who laid down their lives for the honour of the motherland in a solemn ceremony. Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Jawans from various units of 19 Infantry Division were also present to pay homage to the saviours of the Valley.
Meanwhile, a function was organised by Duggar Vikas Manch, an NGO, to celebrate the victory of Indian forces in Kargil war which is also celebrated as Vijay Divas, by remembering the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs of the Indian forces, especially the martyrs from J&K State who sacrificed their lives during this war.
Prominent members of the Civil Society of the State who also included former Army Generals, paid rich tributes to the 527 soldiers from Indian Armed forces who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil war which was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July, and resulted in the loss of life on both sides India and Pakistan.
In his address, president of the Forum Dineshwar Singh Jamwal, presented his homage by remembering great martyrs of Indian forces, who sacrificed their lives for the safety and integrity of the Country. Prominent members of the Civil Society who also spoke on the occasion included Let Gen (Retd) L P Sadhotra, Maj Gen (Retd) G S Jamwal, Maj Gen (Retd) R S Jamwal, Wing Comdr (Retd) M M Joshi, IGP (Retd) CL Banal and others. Family members and widows of six martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil war also participated in the function. They were felicitated by the members of the Civil Society.
Slathia brothers and students of the Lawrence Public School amused the audience present on the occasion by presenting patriotic Dogri songs.
Purav Sainik Seva Parishad, Udhampur also organized a function in connection with the Vijay Divas at Shradhanjli Sthal constructed near Municipal Council complex, Udhampur today. SSP Anil Magotra was the chief guest on occasion while many prominent persons of the town and ex-servicemen participated. Children drawn from several local school also participated in the event and paid their tributes in their own way. Families of several martyrs also attended the function which was organized under the chairmanship of district president of the organization, Col (Retd) Hargobind Singh. Col K S Juneja founder member was the special invitee. Several prominent persons including Pawan Gupta, Shakeel Shah, Geeta Devi, R K Buchaa and others also attended.
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