As the country celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas today (Friday), the families of the soldiers remember the bravery and dedication of their loved ones who laid their lives during the war between India and Pakistan at icy heights in 1999.
Madhubala, widow of Kargil hero Vinod Kumar, said, “On May 18, 1997, we got married and on June 14, 1999, he lost his life. I feel very good to be here and feel proud.” Rajender Kumar, the elder brother of Kargil hero, soldier Bejender Kumar, said that he feels proud that his brother died for the country. “I feel so proud; he died for the country. We remember him every day,” he said.
Prashanti, wife of Kargil hero, Group Captain K Nachiketa Rao, said that, like all the other countrymen, she used to pray everyday for his repatriation from Pakistan. K Nachiketa Rao was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force who was captured by Pakistani forces before he was handed over to the Indian authorities.
“I feel very proud. The bravery and courage he had shown. We were not married at the time of the war. We married after two years of it. Like all the other countrymen, we used to pray every day for his repatriation (from Pakistan). We feel proud as there are very few people who get such a chance to show such bravery and then get to comeback and live to tell those tales,” Prashanti said.
Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (Honorary Capt) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd.) said that the people of the nation are proud of the soldiers who laid their lives for the country. “Today the people of the country are proud of the soldiers who laid their lives for the country. Today we have gathered here at the memorial in Drass to pay homage to those brave soldiers,” he said.
Subedar Major RT Rais Ahmed said that he got involved in the Indian Army in 1997 and remembered all the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
“For the past three years, we have come here to pay tribute to our brave soldiers. The Army has become much stronger and stronger. They fight for our country in our situation. On the occasion of 25 Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember all our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Ahead of PM Modi’s visit here today, the morale of the Armed Forces will be boosted,” he said.
Veteran Chief Petty Officer Radio IND Navy Anant Joshi said, “The 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas is very important for us. In which 527 people sacrificed their lives for the nation. The people who sacrificed their lives for the country were the youngsters. The people of today’s generation should learn all this.” Eshanika, daughter of an Army officer, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that, as the PM, he is doing a really great job.
“PM Modi coming here is a really good thing and I am always a fan of him, like he is my role model. So I am pretty happy. Him coming here and paying tribute is a really good thing.” she said. Tashi Namgyal, the man who first spotted Pakistani intruders, said that he gave the report to the forces and after eight, the war started. “During that time, I saw six people with the binoculars and then I gave the report to the Punjab unit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kargil today on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas and pay homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. PM Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial at around 9:20 am and pay tribute to the bravehearts.
“Tomorrow, 26th July, is a very special day for every Indian. We will mark the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. It is a day to pay homage to all those who protect our nation. I will visit the Kargil War Memorial and pay tributes to our brave heroes. Work will also commence for the Shinkun La Tunnel Project. This project is important to improve connectivity to Leh, especially during bad weather,” PM Modi said in a post on X. The Prime Minister will carry out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project virtually.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists. (ANI)