Srinagar: In the Kargil war, Pakistan had to face defeat on many fronts from India. This victory is celebrated with great pride every year on 26 July as Kargil Vijay Diwas. This day is dedicated to those brave sons who showed indomitable courage in the Kargil war against Pakistan.
Drass connection of Kargil war
In the year 1999, the city of Drass located in Kargil district of Ladakh was the main battle field between the armies of India and Pakistan. On the occasion of completion of 26 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the city of Drass is all set to pay tribute to the martyred soldiers and tell the stories of victory against the arch enemy Pakistan.
In May 1999, the war between India and Pakistan broke out in a small hill town called Drass in Kargil district. During that time, Pakistani army and infiltrators had occupied the hilly and strategic area of Drass in Kargil district. After the sacrifice of more than 500 soldiers and two months of fighting in the hilly area of Drass, the Indian Army recaptured the area on 26 July and declared victory.
Although the main battle was fought in Drass, this day is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ since 1999. On this day, Indian Army soldiers pay tribute to the martyred soldiers in a large field. We know it as Kargil Vijay Smarak.
This memorial is built in Drass town, located 60 kilometers by road from the main Kargil city. This main memorial remains a tourist spot for tourists and visitors throughout the year. However, on the occasion of Kargil Day on 26 July, this memorial is the center of attraction.
On this day, families of the martyred soldiers, retired soldiers who fought in this war and soldiers and officers who survived after being seriously injured, are brought to Drass to pay tribute to the martyrs and remember their glorious sacrifice and fight during the war. Apart from this, many programs and activities are organized in which the local residents of Kargil participate and organize different cultural programs that make up the identity of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Local artists perform Arya cultural activities like dance, singing in the playground of Drass. While the players perform various sports activities, the main attraction of which is Horse Polo, a popular sport of Ladakh Union Territory.
A flag hoisting ceremony is held at the memorial. Top army officials participate in it, while the families of the martyred soldiers watch this Vijay Yatra with grief and pride remembering their heroes. Families and visitors come to the memorial to remember the names of all the martyred soldiers whose names are inscribed on the wall decorated with multicolored candles.
The statues of the prominent heroes of the Kargil war Major Rajesh Adhikari, Major P. Acharya, Major Vivek Gupta, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Anuj Nayyar, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, Captain Nikezhou Kenguruse and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey are installed on the ‘Vijaypath’, the main path leading from the main gate of the memorial to the wall. After the Kargil war, Captain Batra and Lieutenant Pandey were awarded the Param Vir Chakra, while the other six martyrs were awarded the Mahavir Chakra.
The Indian Army also displays its weapons used in the war. Bofors guns, QF 25-pounder guns are the main attractions, while other weapons and ammunition are also displayed to the people there. An Army jawan is deployed at each desk who explains the utility and importance of these weapons to the visitors and media persons.
Mera Yuva Bharat, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will organise the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra’ on Saturday to pay tribute to the Kargil martyrs who died in Drass. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth will lead the padyatra. One thousand youth, ex-servicemen, armed forces personnel, families of martyrs and members of civil society will participate in this padyatra.
Officials say that this padyatra is part of the broader Vikasit Bharat Padyatra initiative, which aims to promote national pride, deepen civic engagement and strengthen the spirit of unity among the youth through commemorative and participatory events across the country.
In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Jan Bhagidari in nation building, this initiative brings together all stakeholders from youth to veterans in a shared act of national remembrance, thereby reinforcing the role of citizens, especially the Amrit generation, in nation building.
Every year, the country’s Defence Minister visits the memorial on the concluding day of the commemoration. On Saturday, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai will visit the Kargil Vijay Smarak to pay tribute to the heroes of Kargil. Before flying to Kargil, Lieutenant General Ghai today met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and discussed the current security situation in the Union Territory.
