Nationalism Marks Kargil Vijay Diwas at Kadri War Memorial
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Ex-servicemen observed Kargil Vijay Diwas at the war memorial at Kadri Hills here on July 26.
Ex-servicemen along with the home guards and members of other organizations offered floral tributes and lit candles at the war memorial for those who laid down their lives for the country in the line of duty.
Speaking on the occasion Brig I N Rai said, “Today we have gathered here to remember the soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil war. They have shown great bravery in the Kargil war. The day 26 July 1999 is a very important day in the history of our country and especially for the Indian Armed Forces. On this very day, our valiant Armed Forces drove out the Pakistani Army intruders from the unauthorized occupation of the Indian territory of Kargil, Drass, Tololing and Batalikand Turkok sectors in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Brig I N Rai further said, “This war was an example of great courage, sacrifices and leadership on the part of the Indian Armed Forces. Many brave men had promised their families that they would return soon, and they kept their promise but more than 500 soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country. Go home, think about your freedom and pray for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. Light the lamp every day and pray for the soldiers for their safety. All of you pray for your own family members but do you remember the soldiers who are working 24×7 on the borders to save us from our enemies?”
Speaking on the occasion Capt Ganesh Karnik said, “It is a solemn occasion because today more than 500 soldiers laid down their lives for the country. Kargil was a different kind of an operation because it was a war between 2 countries. We are remembering the sacrifices and commitment of our soldiers. For the past 10 years we are assembling here, remembering the martyrs and offering our tributes, but this time I have seen something different in Mangaluru. Since morning, more than 1000 people came voluntarily to the war memorial to offer tributes to the martyrs. If we have the spirit of nationalism, we can ignite the minds of the citizens. I see a ray of hope in the spontaneous responses in offering tributes to the martyrs”.
Past President of DK ESM Association, N Sharath Bhandary, Rtn Vikram Dutta, Col Balakrishna and Ln S M Airan, Capt Deepak Adyanthaya Home Guard Commandant Dr Muralee Mohan Chunthar and others were also present.