Remembering Kargil, Operation Vijay and our war Heroes: Tribute paid to our gallant soldiers for war valour!

“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today!”

Today, July 26, 2008 marks the ninth anniversary of “Operation Vijay” which was engineered to flush out the infiltrators and indigenous militants from Kargil, one of the toughest mountain warfare fought till date. This day, "Kargil Vijay Divas" is being celebrated to pay homage to our soldiers, who laid their lives during the 2 month long conflict from May 26, 1999 to July 26, 1999.

Nine years ago, around this time our valiant Indian Army was battling on the rough, rocky and glacial terrain stretching from Zoji-La Pass to the Siachen Glacier to evict the perfidious aggression in this high altitude sector. However, our Army thwarted this attempt by the intruders to conquer the rugged heights of Kargil. Unfortunately this military campaign to repel the intrusion left about 525 brave men dead and another 1,400 wounded.

Now, today, on this Kargil Vijay Divas,

It’s an occasion to mourn!
It’s an occasion to rejoice!
But it’s also an occasion; a moment of despair and indignation!

For the reason being the authorities concerned have conveniently forgotten the officers and brave jawans who laid down their lives to uphold our nation’s honour and dignity. We totally concur with what the Retd. General V P Malik said, “The martyrs of wars and those who sacrificed their lives in proxy wars are not being given their due.” We also regret for the level of Government support to families of fallen war heroes. It is inadequate and they feel alienated and uncared-for.

How many of us still remember Captain Vikram Batra (Yeh Dil Maange More!), Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Lieutenant Saurabh Kalia et al. Captain Vikram Batra, the brave 24-year-old youth who was a Lieutenant at the beginning of the war was later promoted to captain on the battlefield. The man who strove to make it to the Indian Army and died happily on duty for his nation. This Pepsi catchline which Captain Batra told his commander at base camp, later became the catchline for the Kargil war. At last, Operation Vijay saw more than 400 young blood laying down their lives for our nation.

I wonder! What does it take our state, bureaucracy and “babus” to instill a small amount of patriotism and nationalism for commemoration? It is sad, but it is true, for all those brave men, who protected our country by laying down their lives in the Operation Vijay or any other earlier wars, there are no remembrance. Does our country appreciate its son's exemplary valour? It still remains quandary!

Having said that, the grit and determination of our warriors would continue to serve as a beacon not only for the valiant soldiers of our country but also for the generations to come. Their fearlessness and deed stands as a guiding light to believe in the strength and steely resolve of our motherland unequivocally and authoritatively!

For the men who gave their lives today for our safer tomorrow…Valorous Soldiers…
We salute you for laying down your lives for a noble cause - to safeguard our beloved nation!
We salute you for demonstrating that remarkable spirit of patriotism, paramount courage and for offering supreme sacrifices in your lofty struggle for upholding our national pride!

We believe, the time is apposite for remembering the following motto which gets molded into the hearts of hundreds of Gentleman Cadets -

“The safety, honor and welfare of your country come first always and everytime.
The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and everytime.”

Jai Jawan! Jai Hind!

N.B. At this moment, we would also like to convey a strong message that time has come for us to arise, awake, stand and fight against the evil forces which are trying to create disorder and mayhem. Time has come to be more sensitive, concerned and unite. Time has come for us, the civil society to rise to the occasion and to give a befitting response and riposte to the ones who spread terror in our country. Let’s together spread this message, and fight against these radicals and prowlers!