Vijay Diwas: Sacrifices, Patriotism, Love Towards Nation & People

Nobody can ever forget the sacrifices and commended work done by the Army—both in hinterland as well as along the Line of Control and International Border. It is really because of these security forces that the people across the country are living a peaceful life.
History stands testimony to the facts that there are enormous number of events that are written with the golden words and Kargil War is one among the episodes.
On 26 July 1999, Indian Army brought laurels to the country by taking command of the high outposts. This day marks the bravery of the security forces, which they have shown during the Kargil war with the neighboring country Pakistan.
In just 60 day period, the security forces without caring about their lives protected the land and its dwellers by the utmost bravery, which is written with the golden words in the hearts of the people.
It is because of the bravery of the security forces that the people are proudly calling themselves Indians as on this day the forces personnel in the war made the country proud.
The day is every year being observed as Kargil Diwas in which several events are being organized in order to commemorate the sacrifices made by soldiers in the war where the Indian Army recaptured all the Indian posts in Kargil that had been occupied by Pakistan’s Army. It is this deep sense of patriotism and passion that permeates to every soldier who stands vigil here on these wind-swept icy heights in most inhospitable weather and terrain that their efforts are recognized by the people they are protecting.
The war is believed to have been orchestrated by the then Pakistan Army Chief General Parvez Musharraf without the knowledge of the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef.
The war not only brought laurels, but the officer rank, as well as other soldiers also sacrificed their lives during the war, which was given the codename Operation Safed Sagar.
Captain Saurabh Kalia, was among the martyrs, who fought bravely with the enemy and got martyred on 9 June 1999. Captain Saurabh Kalia, an Indian Army officer, died during the Kargil War while being held as a prisoner of war by the Pakistan Army. He along with five other soldiers of his patrol were captured and allegedly tortured prior to being killed.
Thus, after taking command of the high outposts and winning the war, the day is country-wide being observed to remember these sacrifices as it recalls us the horror of bullets and shells, which these brave soldiers faced while fighting the enemy.
The Pakistan was planning to infiltrate its troops here, camouflaged as Kashmiri militants—into positions on the Indian side of the LoC. During the initial stages of the war, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid.
Despite losing the war, Pakistan Army has been indulging in border skirmishes by firing shells, bullets along the LoC to help militants to infiltrate this side of LoC. However, like Kargil war, the Army by keeping close vigil on their activities have been foiling majority of such attempts to protect the country and its people.
In such a way, the Indian Army has been winning the wars on almost every day and has been protecting the country and its people on daily basis. The Kargil Diwas is one among the examples of everyday’s situation, which Indian Army has been facing and dealing with.
On this day, a series of events are being organized. Similarly, this year too, a Bike Rally, Dhruva Bike Ride in the honour of Kargil Vijay Diwas comprising of 75 motorcycles commenced on 22 Jul 2021 under the aegis of Headquarter Northern Command.
Lieutenant General YK Joshi, UYSM, AVSM, VrC, SM, ADC, Army Commander, Northern Command, who is himself a Kargil war veteran and a gallantry decorated officer, has made an exceptional endeavor to commemorate the supreme sacrifice and unmatched warrior spirit.
The Indian Army also undertook a mega bike rally from Udhampur, traversing more than 1000 kilometers over treacherous mountains of Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, converging at the historic Kargil War Memorial in Dras on 23 July.
The bike rally was flagged off by Lieutenant General PGK Menon, General Officer Commanding ‘Fire and Fury Corps’ on 19 July from Leh. 15 riders traversed a total distance of 1000 kilometers through harsh and rugged terrain of Ladakh and finally reached Dras on 23rd July, led by Lt Gen PGK Menon himself.
These events recall us the memories and the patriotism shown by the soldiers from time to time especially the Kargil War.
These programmes and rallies on this day is a clear sign that people have not forgotten the heroes and they still live within the society.
(The writer is executive editor Lake City Times and can be reached at [email protected])