‘KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS’ – JULY 26

FROM SAMPATH'S DESK:

 

 KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS – JULY 26

The Kargil War was the last time India and Pakistan came to a full-blown armed conflict especially when the sub-continental neighbours were already nuclear powers. The intrusion of Pak Army into the Kargil mountain peaks that remained undetected for quite some time on an assumption that the intruders might have been some militants or terrorists on the move, was first noticed in May 1999. Over the next few weeks, as Indian soldiers fought valiant battles to reclaim the heights of Kargil, it became apparent that it was actually the Pakistan Army that had trespassed and intruded into Kargil from across the Line of Control. Retaliating, India launched a military and diplomatic blitz, pushing the Pakistani intruders off the captured heights and isolating Islamabad at the global level. Pushing off the Pakistani intruders back, India recaptured all the peaks by July 26, 1999, bringing the Kargil conflict to a logical end in favour of our motherland. 

 

Kargil conflict that took our army unawares in fact had proved beyond doubt the intrepidity, indomitability and line-hearted resilience of the Indian army that came to the fore at an appropriate time to overpower and drive away the intruders. By the time the guns ceased booming, most of the mountain heights occupied by the infiltrators were recaptured forcing the alien troops to run away and retreat, who had earlier, in a cowardly, undercover and covert act, furtively trespassed into the heights smacking of rank foxy, insidious, guileful and nefarious designs which were effectively and efficiently thwarted by our valiant and determined military personnel.   Our military overpowered, subjugated, vanquished and ultimately conquered the enemies.

 

As we all know, Indian armed forces had defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999 in Kargil. Since then, the day is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to recall and reassert the pride and valour of our soldiers who took part in the ‘OPERATION VIJAY’.

 

This year (2020), as a tribute to soldiers who fought in the Kargil war, President Ram Nath Kovind donated  ₹20 lakh to the Army hospital to buy equipment that will help doctors and paramedics combat Covid-19 effectively. The contribution from the president will be used to procure units of PAPR (powered air purifying respirator), a state-of-the-art equipment to enable medical professionals breathe hassle-free during surgeries and protect themselves from infection. The president’s contribution to the Army hospital has been made possible due to an exercise to economize expenditure at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 

Be that as it may, in this context, it is worthwhile recalling and saluting the pristine and characteristic sincerity, loyalty, industriousness, perseverance, dauntlessness and always remaining in readiness of our army to defend our nation – at any cost and by all means - at their own peril even if it meant losing all their personal comforts and making even supreme sacrifice for saving their motherland its people, etc.

 

The nation and the people owe so much to the Indian Armed Forces, as they are protecting the nation and the people in times of war and doing yeomen service to people in distress at times of national disasters. The rescue and rehabilitation services rendered by them in places other than the borders and in peace times, in the aftermath of natural disasters are unmatched, a few examples being Gujarat Earthquake, J&K, Uttarakhand, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kerala floods. They sweat it out for the defence of the nation – rain or shine – day or night – against all natural and/or man-made odds. They do their service to the nation braving hostile climate, uneven terrains, snow-capped mountainous ranges, uninhabitable areas, squalid, ramshackle conditions, etc. They effectively tackle frequent skirmishes from China on the borders, LoC violations and cross-border infiltrations from Pakistan, curbing terrorism in J&K, quelling insurgency activities elsewhere in the country especially in the north-eastern region, guarding our long coastline, etc.  - all away from their sweet homes – ensuring happy and peaceful life for their fellow Indians at their home.

 

Indian armed forces are a loyal lot about whom every Indian takes pride and salutes. While our sub-continental neighbours who were part of the pre-independence India had suffered many military coups and resultant disturbances, instability and lack of development, Indian armed forces always minded their own business viz. defence of the nation ensuring a peaceful and fertile environment for political and economic stability in the country. Hats off to them! Their sense of service with sincerity, loyalty, fidelity, devotion to duty, steadfastness, reliability and allegiance to their nation has been unparalleled throughout.

 

Countless army personnel have made supreme sacrifices in defence of the nation and got crippled or maimed while on duty. Nothing is too much while praising them or providing them recompense!

 

A grateful nation salutes its Armed Forces!

 

Mera Bharat Mahan. Jai Jawan! Jai Hind!

 

R.SAMPATH