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| No celebrations in Jammu to mark 'Vijay Diwas' | | |
GOVIND CHOUHAN
Jammu | July 26
It is condemnable but true: No official function was organised here to remember the valiant feat of 500 jawans and officers who sacrificed themselves recapturing numerous posts in icy heights of Kargil in 1999.
Every year, since 1999, July 26 is being remembered and celebrated all over India as ‘Vijay Diwas’ or ‘Victory day’ commemorating the historical victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistani intruders in the treacherous heights of Kargil.
When, President of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah was contacted to have his comments, he expressed surprise over the lack of enthusiasm among people to celebrate "Vijay Diwas".
Transport Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma felt ashamed and held 'all' responsible for such a lukewarm response to such the day. He emphasized on the need to know the importance of "Vijay Diwas", as martyrs have lost their life for the cause of the nation.
BJP State President, Nirmal Singh expressed regret over the way people responded to this great day and also emphasized over the need to observe this day at par with other National days.
PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti said that the observance of such occasions honors our all the martyrs who laid down their lives for nation. It's our responsibility to remember them on this day, but sorry to say that we failed on our side.
Meanwhile, NC leader Ajay Sadhotra stressed upon the government to organise the programmes on this occasion so that people would come and participate in such programmes.
When contacted P.R.O Army he said that the "Vijay Diwas" was observed today at Yol Cantt, in which people in large number including the families of martyrs also participated and remembered the martyrs.
Pertinent to mention, the occasion of ‘Victory day’ is not only to remember those courageous men who died defending country’s border, but also to motivate and inspire the younger generation to follow the valiant traditions of the Indian Army and the nation as a whole. The nation owes as immense debt of gratitude to these intrepid warriors.
Troops were sent to Kargil with a simple brief - do not cross the LoC but win back the peaks.
To do that they had to climb almost vertical slopes loaded with ammunition and weapons in altitudes where every breath was difficult.
They had to do this while under constant shell and machine gunfire from an enemy dug in behind stone sangars.
As army units cleared the enemy off peak after peak, India was discovering new heroes - Anuj Nayyar, Vikram Batra, Manoj Pandey - all very young, very brave and all of them dead.
The war was reaching a crescendo and the climax was the fall of Tiger Hill in July to the 18th Grenadiers. This battle too had a young hero 18-year-old Yoginder Yadav who sustained 18 bullet wounds but won the peak. More than 600 Indian soldiers fell in Kargil.
While our brave jawans are still on a tough mission to uphold the dignity of our nation, the least the rest of the countrymen can do is give them moral support. Though we are hundreds of miles away, living in the comfort of our homes and with our families around us, we must assure them that we are with them all the time.
Vijay Diwas, which requires celebration to mark the eviction of Pakistani troops from Indian positions in Kargil sector in 1999, went without celebrations or a memorial service here in Jammu . |
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