The nation today observed Kargil Vijay Diwas in the honour of war heroes who on this day 22 years ago marked India's victory over the evil incursion in Kargil. Named as ‘Operation Vijay', the campaign saw the Indian Army bravely seizing back control of its key outposts in Ladakh after ousting Pakistani troops from the region.
India celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 every year to mark the anniversary of the Indian Army's victory against Pakistan on this day in 1999, after more than 60 days of armed conflict on the highlands of Kargil in Ladakh taken back the control upto its last outpost. At Kargil War Memorial, top military officers, family members of the army personnel and others were present to recall the epic battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill and other peaks. The battles fought in the most severe and harsh conditions that too when the enemy was in a highly advantageous position holding the commanding heights perhaps has no parallel in world history.
Both the Houses of Parliament today applauded the exemplary courage, dedication and determination of Indian soldiers and paid their respects to the Kargil martyrs.
The country will never forget the supreme sacrifices our soldiers paid to overpower the enemy fighting all obstacles and adverse climate conditions. The cost was very high for the nation. As many as 559 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the war, while more than 1,300 were injured.
While it is our solemn duty to remember and pay tributes to our fallen soldiers of Kargil heights, we, as a nation, should never relent our memories to fade away the ultimate sacrifices made by thousands of soldiers who laid down their lives and tens of thousands more who went home wounded or disabled on the various battlefields since 1947, 1962, 1965, 1971 and other bloody skirmishes. Unfortunately, over the years, it appears that the 1971 war is gradually fading from public memory and being overtaken by Kargil, Balakot, Doklam and Galwan. Vijay Diwas has been replaced by Kargil Vijay Diwas. Has the nation forgotten the greatest ever victory achieved by its armed forces? Sanctity of the sacrifice remains the same and indelible notwithstanding the time lines.
Let us also never forget our 54 officers and men taken prisoners of war, who are dead or dying in Pakistani prisons. It would be a fitting tribute to all of them if 2021, the golden jubilee year of the war, is declared as the Year of the Soldier.
On this landmark occasion, not just the Indian military, but India as a nation also needs to celebrate Vijay and Balidaan Diwas for all earlier wars fought by our soldiers and remind the coming generation and world of our great victories of the ‘righteous over evil'. Let a chapter be added to our history books so that future generations read about our glorious and momentous victories and continue to remember and honour the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers of India.
