Nation pays tributes to Kargil war heroes on 23rd anniversary of India’s historic victory in 1999
- President, PM lead nation in paying tributes
- Defence Minister, MoS Defence, Defence Secretary & three Service Chiefs pay homage at National War Memorial, New Delhi
- With their memories in our hearts, we will continue to move forward on the path of nation building: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi. The nation on July 26 paid tributes to the bravehearts of the Kargil war on the 23rd anniversary of India’s historic victory in 1999, which is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ every year.
President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces who assumed office on July 25, termed Kargil Vijay Divas a “symbol of extraordinary valor” and said she “bows down” to all the “brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect Mother India.”
All Indians will be “indebted to the soldiers and their family members”, she added.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of Maa Bharati. On this occasion, my salute to all the brave sons of the country who achieve the height of valour in the defence of the motherland. Jai Hind,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet in Hindi.
To mark the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari laid wreaths at National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid homage to the fallen heroes who ensured India’s victory during the Kargil war of 1999.
Senior civil and military officials of Ministry of Defence were also present on the occasion.
In a message in the visitors’ book of National War Memorial, Rajnath Singh recalled the valour and sacrifices of the Armed Forces personnel during the war, which protected the unity and integrity of the Nation.
“The Nation will forever be grateful to the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces. With their memories in our hearts, we will keep energising ourselves and continue to move forward on the path of nation building,” he wrote.
In a tweet, the Defence Minister commended the act of valour and indomitable spirit of the bravehearts which will remain etched forever as a defining moment in India’s history.
“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, India salutes the bravery, courage and sacrifice of our armed forces. They fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend our motherland. Their act of valour & indomitable spirit will remain etched forever as a defining moment in India’s history,” Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Various events, remembering the fallen heroes of the Kargil war were organised across the country, including at Kargil War Memorial in Dras to mark this momentous occasion.
During the Kargil conflict, the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, with the help of Indian Air Force, overcame insurmountable odds, hostile terrain and inclement weather to win against the enemy that had occupied the dominating heights.
