Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dras today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. This significant occasion honors the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the Kargil War in 1999.
At approximately 9:20 AM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial to pay homage to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The memorial, located in Dras, has been secured with extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and respectful observance of the anniversary.
In addition to the tribute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also virtually inaugurate the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project. This ambitious infrastructure project involves the construction of a 4.1 km long Twin-Tube tunnel at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road. The Shinkun La Tunnel, once completed, will be the highest tunnel in the world. It aims to enhance all-weather connectivity to Leh, facilitating efficient movement of armed forces and fostering economic and social development in Ladakh.
The 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas serves as a poignant reminder of the valor displayed by Indian troops during the conflict. Families of the fallen soldiers reflect on the profound sacrifices made. Madhubala, widow of Kargil hero Vinod Kumar, expressed pride in her late husband’s service, saying, “I feel very good to be here and feel proud.”
Rajender Kumar, brother of Kargil hero Bejender Kumar, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing his pride in his brother’s sacrifice. “I feel so proud; he died for the country. We remember him every day,” he stated.
Prashanti, wife of Group Captain K Nachiketa Rao, another Kargil hero, shared her pride in her husband’s bravery. K Nachiketa Rao, a fighter pilot who was captured by Pakistani forces before being repatriated, is remembered for his courage. “We used to pray every day for his repatriation. We feel proud as there are very few people who get such a chance to show bravery and then live to tell those tales,” she said.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, celebrates the success of Operation Vijay. During this operation, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, which had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.
