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The Shimla district administration on Saturday felicitated soldiers and veterans who participated in the Kargil War during a district-level Kargil Vijay Diwas programme held here, honouring their exceptional courage, bravery and service to the nation.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, felicitated Subedar Major Sham Lal Sharma, Subedar Major Diwakar Dutt Sharma, Subedar Ved Prakash Sharma, Havildar Laxmi Dutt Sharma, Havildar Ram Lal Sharma, Havildar Praveen Sharma and Naik Jai Singh during the event.
Addressing the gathering, the DC said the Kargil victory stands as a symbol of the Indian Army’s indomitable courage, determination and patriotism. He said the sacrifices of soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation would continue to inspire generations.
“Twenty-seven years have passed since the Kargil victory, but the nation can never forget its martyrs. National service and nation-building cannot be achieved through a one-day event alone; everyone will have to contribute collectively in this direction,” he said.
Kashyap also highlighted drug addiction, particularly the menace of ‘chitta‘, as one of the major challenges facing the country. He said eliminating the problem requires the cooperation and participation of every section of society.
He added that in the coming years, efforts would be made to organise Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations on a larger scale and involve more people to further strengthen the spirit of patriotism.
During the programme, an inspirational documentary on Kargil Vijay Diwas was screened. Students Jannat and Ekta from Portmore School, along with Suhani from Sanskrit College, Phagli, recited patriotic poems, adding to the patriotic atmosphere of the event.
A key highlight of the programme was the interaction with Kargil War veterans, who shared their experiences of the battlefield. They narrated inspiring accounts of the Indian Army’s courage, discipline and dedication while facing extreme challenges during the conflict. Their stories further reinforced the spirit of national service and patriotism among the youth and citizens present.
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil War, reaffirming the state’s commitment to serving personnel, ex-servicemen and the families of fallen heroes while urging young people to join the armed forces.Marking Kargil Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial, Mann laid a wreath, paid floral tributes to the fallen heroes and observed a two-minute silence after the sounding of the Last Post. He also met families of the fallen heroes and ex-servicemen, distributed five two-wheelers to differently abled veterans and interacted with NCC cadets and cadets of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute and Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute.
Recalling that 527 soldiers, including more than 65 from Punjab, were killed in the conflict, Mann said, “Soldiers who lay down their lives for the nation do not belong only to their families; they belong to the entire country.”Calling military service one of the noblest callings, the chief minister urged young cadets to serve the nation. “Serving the nation through the armed forces is among the noblest callings. I urge our young cadets to dedicate themselves to this great cause,” he said.Defence services welfare minister Mohinder Bhagat, senior armed forces officers, ex-servicemen and families of the fallen heroes were present at the ceremony.
Vajra Corps today observed the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas with profound solemnity and military traditions, paying rich tributes to the exceptional bravery and ultimate sacrifice of the brave soldiers of the Indian Army during the 1999 Operation Vijay.
The anniversary proceedings culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vajra Shaurya Sthal in Jalandhar, which was attended by veterans and serving personnel, among others. Floral wreaths were placed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Vajra Corps, Lt Gen Amit Kabthiyal, YSM, SM, GOC 11 Corps, as well as others present to honour the martyrs.
Addressing the gathering, GOC Lt Gen Amit Kabthiyal, YSM, SM, GOC 11 Corps, recounted the unparalleled fortitude displayed by soldiers during the Kargil War and reiterated the resolve of the Armed Forces to support the next of kin of the martyrs. He exhorted all ranks to draw motivation from this noble legacy and preserve the rich heritage of the Indian Army and the honour of the National Flag.
IndiaNews Portal
Celebrated across the nation every year on July 26, Kargil Vijay Diwas marks the decisive triumph of the Indian Armed Forces in 1999, when soldiers overcame hostile high-altitude terrain, freezing climates, and fortified enemy positions to successfully evict intruders from Indian soil.
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The commemorative events by Vajra Corps served as a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom, reinforcing the soldierly oath to never forget, never forgive, and remain permanently vigilant to safeguard the nation with absolute resolve.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth and senior military officers on Sunday paid tributes to the country’s bravehearts at a dedicated war memorial here, marking the 27th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The sun shone bright in the morning in the Dras Valley as Singh laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, offering his homage to the fallen heroes.
Before him, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Army Chief General Seth, and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, laid wreaths at the war memorial, among other senior officers of the force.
Three helicopters in arrowhead formation, led by an advanced light helicopter and followed by two Cheetas, showered floral petals on the memorial.
The defence minister, who arrived here on Saturday, was the chief guest at the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’ —wreath-laying ceremony — at the Kargil War Memorial.
On a rain-soaked evening in Dras, the Army on Saturday hosted a ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ at the war memorial, honouring the indomitable courage displayed by the Indian soldiers during Operation Vijay in 1999 and paying rich tributes to the fallen heroes.
The defence minister participated in the solemn event and also handed a ceremonial ‘kalash’ to some of the family members of Army personnel who laid down their lives in the Kargil conflict.
The Army is hosting a series of events here to mark the 27th anniversary of Operation Vijay — India’s limited war after the neighbouring country’s infiltration.
The occasion marks the glorious victory in 1999 when Indian soldiers, braving snow-clad peaks and relentless firing by Pakistani troops, reclaimed the heights of Kargil.
Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates the culmination of Operation Vijay on July 26, 1999.
Health, Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Sainik Welfare Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil on Sunday said the supreme sacrifice of the Kargil martyrs would continue to inspire generations with the ideals of patriotism, courage and selfless service to the nation.
Addressing the state-level Kargil Vijay Diwas function at Tihra in Mandi district on the 27th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, the minister paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the country’s sovereignty.
On the occasion, Dr Shandil inaugurated a War Memorial Complex, constructed at a cost of around Rs 35 lakh in memory of the martyrs. He offered floral tributes, honoured Veer Naris, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at a march-past by the Indian Ex-Servicemen League (Himachal Pradesh) and its Tihra Unit, along with NCC cadets of DAV School, Griyoh.
Recalling Operation Vijay, the minister said 52 soldiers from Himachal Pradesh, including 12 from Mandi district, made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil conflict. He also highlighted that Captain Vikram Batra (posthumously) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, both from the state, were among the four recipients of the Param Vir Chakra for displaying exceptional bravery during the war.
Describing Himachal Pradesh as “Veer Bhoomi”, Dr Shandil said the youth of the state have always remained at the forefront of serving the nation by joining the armed forces.
Highlighting the state government’s initiatives for soldiers and ex-servicemen, he said 15 per cent reservation in government jobs has enabled 1,220 ex-servicemen and their dependents to secure employment. Besides, over 4,305 ex-servicemen have been employed through the Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Corporation, while 232 trucks owned by ex-servicemen have been engaged by cement factories.
The minister said the monthly old-age pension for ex-servicemen and their widows above 60 years, who are not receiving any other pension, has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. More than 3,160 beneficiaries have received assistance exceeding Rs 12.82 crore under the scheme.
He added that ex gratia compensation for soldiers martyred in war or war-like situations has been enhanced from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, while compensation for deaths due to illness or other causes has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh. In Mandi district alone, dependents of deceased soldiers have received Rs 2.81 crore during the past three years.
Responding to demands raised by Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar, Dr Shandil assured adequate funds for expanding the War Memorial Complex and said the process to establish a Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facility at Tihra would be initiated. Kargil Vijay Diwas was also observed at the War Memorial in Mandi town, Vallabh Government College, Mandi and Sarkaghat.
As the nation observes Kargil Vijay Diwas, Captain Vikram Batra’s journey continues to be remembered not only for the courage that made him one of the most celebrated heroes of the Kargil War and earned him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously but also for the young man he was before he became a national icon.
His father, Giridhari Lal Batra, recalled how his son had already decided the kind of life he wanted to lead, while attending a Kargil Vijay Diwas commemoration organised by the Kashyap Naujawan Dharmik Sabha in Jalandhar on Sunday. It was his first time attending the event in the city, where he spoke of a son who became a national hero but remained, in his memories, a smiling, ambitious young man.
GL Batra said the Army had fascinated Captain Batra from his teenage years. As a child, he listened to stories about Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandrashekhar Azad and Maharana Pratap. “He liked the disciplined and valiant life of an Army man,” his father noted.
He added that Vikram was selected for the Merchant Navy while he was a BSc finalist in 1995 but left the well-paying job within days of joining to pursue his dream of joining the Army.
That determination was visible in almost everything he did. He passed his examinations with first division, played table tennis at the national level and was fond of skating and martial arts. His father said Vikram was always a frontliner, whether in studies, sports or the choices he made in life.
Yet, behind the discipline and ambition was a young man with a lively sense of humour.
Sharing a childhood anecdote, Captain Batra’s father said that once, when Vikram asked him for pocket money, he told him, “Beta, mere paas toote paise nahi hain” (Son, I do not have change). Vikram quickly replied, “Toh koi baat nahi, aap sabut hi de do” (Then give me the whole amount).
Batra recalled how his son carried a smile wherever he went. True to the sentiment, even in the photographs from the war, Vikram could be seen smiling.
Talking more about his larger than life personality, GL Batra recalled that around six months after joining the Army, Vikram decided to buy a second-hand Zen car. I advised him to wait, saying, “You have just started your service, wait for a while, you can buy a car later”. He recalled Vikram replying, “Later, we’ll buy an even bigger car”.
He never got the opportunity to drive the Zen as he was sent to Kargil soon after. Before leaving, he told his father, “Daddy, it is my gift to you.”
During the one-and-a-half months in the war, Vikram spoke to his family only a handful of times. On the intervening night of June 20 and 21, 1999, Captain Batra along with his troops captured Point 5140 in the Drass sector. Despite being injured, he killed three enemy soldiers in close combat before capturing the position. He then radioed back the victory signal, “Yeh dil maange more (The heart wants more)”, which became one of the most iconic phrases associated with the Kargil War.
“I was very proud. It was the happiest moment. Like any other family, I was expecting him to return with victory,” his father recalled.
After Point 5140, his battalion was tasked with capturing Point 4875. Captain Batra died fighting valiantly near the position on July 7, after killing five Pakistani soldiers in close combat.
His courage earned him the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award. His life later became the subject of the 2021 Hindi film ‘Shershaah’, his code name.
However, for his family, the honour and fame could never lessen the pain of losing a son.
GL Batra remembering the moment he received the news of his son’s death said, “I collapsed. It was my neighbour who picked me up. It took me nearly a week to come to terms with the loss.”
“The absence of a child can never be filled. He was our flesh and blood,” he said, adding, “With time, however, I learnt to look at his sacrifice as a contribution to a cause greater than himself.”
Reflecting on Vikram’s sacrifice, he urged the youth to join the defence forces, describing service to the nation as the noblest of paths.
Launching an attack on Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said there would be no talks with the neighbouring country except on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which he described as an integral part of India.
“The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination,” said Rajnath, adding that “there will be no talks with Pakistan, and any dialogue will focus solely on the PoK.”
Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Dras in Kargil, the minister said every nefarious act against India’s sovereignty “will be met with the same resolute response that the Indian defence forces delivered to terrorists and their patrons through Operation Sindoor with unmatched bravery”.
Rajnath said, “In Pakistan, the distinction between the military and militants has vanished, with the country making terrorism a part of its state policy. Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why during Operation Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.
He added that 27 years had passed after the Kargil War, and the paths taken by India and Pakistan had diverged sharply.
“While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror. India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is manufacturing semiconductors, while Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers,” he said.
“India is recognised for space missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers, while Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centres. India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” Rajnath said.
He said the Centre possessed the political will to give the defence forces a free hand to respond decisively to threats, exuding confidence that no adversary would dare cast a hostile eye on India while its soldiers guard the nation’s borders.
He paid tributes to India’s gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland during the 1999 Kargil War. He remembered the countless bravehearts, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Capt Vikram Batra and Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, who made the supreme sacrifice during the war.
He termed Kargil Vijay Diwas a day of inspiration for every young person who seeks to understand the distinction between personal success and national duty.
The minister emphasised that conflicts such as those in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine had not only tested the capabilities of the defence forces but also the resilience, patience and resolve of nations. He asserted that while India had a strong and capable military, safeguarding national security was a shared responsibility of every citizen.
During the event, Rajnath laid a wreath at the cenotaph and observed silence in remembrance of the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Dhiraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, the GOC, 14 Corps, Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, and the GOC, 8 Mountain Division, Maj Gen AP Singh, also joined Rajnath in paying homage to the Kargil War heroes.
