Srinagar: Bad weather prevented President Ram Nath Kovind to pay tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war as he couldn’t lay a wreath at a war memorial in Drass on Monday. It is for the second time in three years that the President could not fly to Drass for the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, which is observed on July 26 every year. The president, meanwhile, laid a wreath at the Dagger War Memorial, Baramulla to pay tributes to all soldiers who laid down their lives in defending the nation in the historic Kargil War, today on the 22nd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.
In 2019, bad weather had prevented President Kovind from visiting Drass and he laid a wreath at a war memorial at the Army’s 15 Corps headquarters in Badamibagh.
The President is likely to visit the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg after Baramulla and will also interact with troops.
President Kovind reached Srinagar on July 25 on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. He was received by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officers of the police and the civil administration.
July 26 is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ as India’s war meant to push back Pakistani troops from its territory was successfully over on July 26, 1999.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday paid tributes to the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War, recalling their valour and sacrifice.
On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I join the nation in remembering our armed forces’ saga of valour & gallantry. I salute the heroes of the Kargil War & Operation Vijay & pay my respectful homage to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice. #KargilVijayDiwas
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) July 26, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute at National War Memorial on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
“On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I salute the indomitable valour and sacrifice of the Indian Army,” Singh tweeted.
कारगिल विजय दिवस के अवसर पर मैं भारतीय सेना के अदम्य शौर्य, पराक्रम और बलिदान को नमन करता हूँ। pic.twitter.com/vAzQJ7dLEV
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 26, 2021
Army Chief General MM Naravane, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar and CISC Vice Admiral Atul Jain also paid homage at National War Memorial.
“On the solemn occasion of the 22nd Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember and pay tributes to our fallen heroes who ensured the territorial integrity of our Nation. The Nation will always remain indebted for the valour and sacrifice of our #bravehearts. #OperationVijay #IndianArmy,” tweeted Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army).
A wall of silence welcomes those who dare
A name carved in stone, that’s all that remains
Sometimes it’s the permanence,
evanescent like the morning dew
Guts and glory, a citadel of the few
-Akshat Upadhyay pic.twitter.com/O2hKmpraID— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 26, 2021
CDS Rawat paid homage to Kargil heroes and installed the Victory Flame here at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur and Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal also paid floral tributes at the memorial.
A day before Kargil Vijay Diwas, CDS Rawat visited the areas along the Line of Control in Dras sector of Kargil to review the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of rhe forces.
“General Bipin Rawat, CDS visited Dras sector along Line of Control and reviewed the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness,” Indian Army tweeted.
“The CDS also interacted with troops and complimented them for their high morale and exhorted them to remain resolute and steadfast,” it added.
