“Why should I cry ? Everyone dying on the front is my son and I pray that next time I get 10 sons, all for the country”- Mother of Major Adhikari, killed in Drass Sector.
“May every home produce a son like you so that the enemy dare not touch the territorial sanctity of our country.”- Mother of Lt. Saurav Kalia, killed in Kargil
“I feel privileged as the country is proud of my son who has become a martyr … and is immortal.”- Father of Flt Engr. Raj Kishore Sahu, killed in Kargil
She said that she wants to send all her three sons to the front. “I won’t hesitate, and I shall be proud if they die defending the country like their father,” she said in honour.- the widow of Naib Subedar Mangel Singh
Mangalore: In view of inculcating a sense of patriotism and national pride among students, Centre for Integrated Learning (CIL) in association with Lions Club Mangalore and Dakshina Kannada District Ex-Servicemen Association organized an inter-school workshop on Patriotism and National Pride at Lions Seva Mandir on Monday,July 27, 2015 from 9am onwards, to mark Kargil Vijay Divas-2105. The workshop consisted of Quiz Competition, Audio Video Display of War scenes, felicitations to veteran soldiers, interactive discussions, patriotic songs and dances.
This unique event was an opportunity for the children of high schools to explore their roles and responsibilities towards nation building through an array of activities that include audio-visual presentations, group discussions, talks and patriotic quiz among others through out the day. The highlight of the deliberations will be that the students will get an opportunity to listen to ex-servicemen as they interact with them in smaller groups.
Centre for Integrated Learning (CIL) has been striving to evolve strategies and interventions to add value to present education system through an array of activities and events targeting children and youth. As part of its `Campaign Patriotism’ initiative,CIL has initiated various programmes to inculcate a sense of national pride among children so as to groom them into responsible citizenry. CIL is proud to have started the trend of celebrating Kargil Vijay Divas since six years. On the tenth anniversary of the Kargil War, CIL had felicitated Subedar Major Joginder Singh who was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his bravery during the Kargil War. The ex-servicemen who have been felicitated by CIL and Lions Club so far include Col. N SBhandary, Wing Commander B R Belle, Brigadier I N Rai, S M Airan, Vikram Datta, Commander Mascarenhas, ShridharShetty among others.
The programme began with a patriotic song, ” Vande Matharam” sung by the students of Gujarathi School in Mangaluru. Centre for Integrated Learning Executive Director, Sachita Nandagopal welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the Lions 317D Governor- Ln Kavitha Shastry by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely Col N Sharath Bhandary, Manohar Prasad-Bureau chief of Udayavani, President of Lions Club Mangalore Arvind Shenoy Kudpi, Lioness President Hema Rao, Secretary of Ex-Servicemen Association S M Airon and other executive board members of Lions Club-Mangaluru. During the occasion four ex-servicemen namely Lt Col John Serrao, Col N Balakrishna, Capt BK Goverdhan and Sgt Bhagavandas were felicitated for their yeomen service to the nation.
Receiving the honors, Lt Col Serrao with tears in his eyes, remembering his son who lost his life during the India-Pakistan war said, ” There is no professional job like serving i the Armed Forces. It’s a pride and honor to wear the uniform and serve the nation. If I come back in another life or many lives, I will surely join and go back and serve the country in armed forces. It’s sad to note that not too many youngsters are joining the armed forces these days-most of them are afraid of death. But death can occur anywhere- either through vehicle accident or through any other tragic incidents. I urge the present youth to make up their mind and recruit themselves in any one of the armed forces-Army, Navy or Air Force, thereby serve the nation with pride and honors”.
Delivering the keynote address, senior journalist Manohar Prasad, called on the students to work for enhancing the image of Bharat as he went through the history of the country. He said that the heritage value of our city is great but is often ignored. Pride in our heritage and history develops a sense of patriotism. “What beautiful heritage we have in our great country, to honour the one who served the nation! Many soldiers have dedicated their lives to save the life of fellow citizens of the country. We have 29 national holidays, but do we don’t have to remember the ones who scarified the life to the country? There is no national holiday to commemorate this day. Yes, but yesterday, July 26, we remembered our soldiers who have dedicated their lives to save our life from the enemies. We have to ignite the spirit of patriotism in our youth” he added.
While concluding he said, ” We are the youngest nation in the world and the youth are our future. We are growing stronger economically but when it comes to patriotism we are very weak. We need to kindle the spirit of patriotism in youth. Do you know that Japanese warriors fought for the country being very less in numbers and won the war because of their patriotism. We must be ready to go to any extent to save our country. We must imbibe the spirit of patriotism within us, It will not come from outside but one should feel the spirit of patriotism from within. We cannot prepare your future, but we can prepare you for the future”.
In his presidential address Col N S Bhandary, briefed about the Kargil war and how the soldiers fought in Kargil in freezing temperatures. Further he explained the meaning of patriotism. He said Patriotism means not only to fight for the nation but we must also respect the national anthem, national bird, national animal and national emblem because it is the asset of the country. On 26 January we celebrate the Republic day, we carry the National flag in our hands and as soon as the programme is over we throw the same flag on the roadside. It is called wrong patriotism, true patriotism is the one who respects the National assets. Our country stands in third place in patriotism, First is USA, second one is Ireland and we are in third place. He urged the students to inculcate the habit of retaining national assets and imbibe the spirit of patriotism, because most of the students pursue their education in medical, engineering, business administration and many more. Youth are the future of the country and it is the duty of every youth to lead the country in a good spirit.
Ln Kavitha Shastry also spoke and extended the full support from Lions Club District 317D towards any programmes conducted by CIL and DK Ex-Servicemen’s association. She exhorted the students to inculcate a sense of belongingness to the motherland and feel proud of being an Indian. Patriotism in the true sense means that people have to come together whenever a crisis arises, she remarked, adding that soldiers are the symbols of national pride. Leo President Ahima Shetty delivered the vote of thanks and Susham Shetty of CIL compered the programme. Following the formal programme an interaction session between ex-servicemen and students, audio visuals on Kargil War, Patriotic Quiz among other activities were held.
