On a rain-soaked Saturday evening in Drass, the Army hosted Shaurya Sandhya at the Kargil War Memorial here, to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil conflict in 1999.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the event and also handed over the ceremonial Kalash to some family members of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in the conflict.
Ladakh LG VK Saxena, Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth, Commander-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma, among the senior officers of the force, along with several military veterans, were also present at the ceremony.
A troop of Ladakh Scouts played patriotic songs like ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’, after which guests participated in lighting candles near the obelisk of the main memorial.
The illumination of hundreds of stones neatly placed in rows, in the ‘Veer Bhoomi’ – the memorial area – of the memorial put on an aesthetic and poignant appearance as the evening descended into the night.
Earlier in the day, the Army hosted several other events to mark the 27th anniversary of Operation Vijay, which falls on July 26.
The Defense Minister, who arrived here on Saturday, will be the chief guest at the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’ on Sunday, to pay tribute to the brave people who participated in the 1999 war.
Singh will attend the event accompanied by the Army Chief, in the presence of several senior Army officers, Kargil War veterans, relatives of braves, civilian dignitaries and serving soldiers.
The two-day commemoration ceremony began on Saturday, the eve of the anniversary, with the Sansmaran Yod at the picturesque Lamouchene point overlooking the historic Kargil battlefield.
Officials said the occasion marked victory when Indian soldiers, braving snow-capped peaks and constant firing by Pakistani troops, reclaimed the Kargil heights with unparalleled courage and unwavering resolve.
Yudh Sansmaran began with a 33-minute video, narrating the Kargil War and the country’s victory under Operation Vijay – the code name for the Indian military operation to reclaim territory in the Kargil region.
This was followed by a 17-minute memorial segment to honor 40 Kargil braves whose relatives will be in attendance, highlighting their extraordinary acts of bravery, valor and supreme sacrifice, officials said.
Major General Amit Prakash Singh, Commander-in-Chief, Forever Operations Division, senior army officers, Kargil war veterans, Veer Naris and Veer Matas were present on the occasion.
Kargill Vijay Diwas commemorates the climax of Operation Vijay on July 26, 1999.
Murti Devi Dahiya, whose son, Sub Ravinder, of the 4th Jat unit, laid down his life in the war, felt emotionally exhausted while attending the event.
“When I see other soldiers in uniform, I feel that they are like my sons too. Standing here watching the peaks we reclaimed in the Kargil war, I feel extremely proud of my son and his service to the nation,” she told PTI.
In the afternoon, ‘Gauravmaya Sanskriti’ event was organized at Vishwanathan Stadium in Drass – a vibrant cultural show celebrating the spirit of patriotism, India’s rich cultural heritage and the bravery and professionalism of the Indian Army, which was attended by the Commander-in-Chief, Northern Command.
The program included a series of performances, including a daring motorcycle display by ‘Shoet Acho’ motorcyclists, which showcased the precision driving, discipline and reckless actions of army motorcyclists.
A display of India’s combat drone capabilities was also part of the event, which also saw the participation of robotic mules.
The Army also held a grand banquet, ‘Vijay Bhoj’ at the 16 Grenadier Officers’ Mess, in the afternoon to celebrate the success of Operation Vijay.
These events commemorate India’s victory in key battles fought on the icy Kargil heights during the nearly three-month-long conflict, and pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
The program will conclude on Sunday with the flag hoisting of the ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’ from the National War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, symbolizing the nation’s everlasting gratitude to its brave heroes and reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to preserving the legacy of the brave.
An anniversary is not just a date on the calendar; It is a powerful reminder of the resolve and unity that defines India. Officials said it was a tribute to the men who fought valiantly in the cold air and freezing winds, turning every summit into a testament to their courage.
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