iNM Magazine Volume 7 | August 2015
Independence Day
A Tribute
to
Kargil War heroes
Nithin Thomas
First year, PGDM
NMIMS, Hyderabad
e Kargil War commenced from early May 1999 and
ended with the last of Pakistani intruders pushed back on
26 July 1999. It caught the imagination of the people
because it was the first televised war in Indian subcontinent. Names of places like Kargil, Kaksar, Batalik &
Drass became familiar. So were the heights like Tololing,
Tiger Hill, Point 4875 and Point 5203. For a change, the
heroes of this war also became household names, like
Major Saravanan, Captains Manoj Kumar Pandey,
Vikram Batra, Sepoys Yogendra Singh Yadav, Sanjay
Kumar and many more. To be exact, 524 brave sons of our
country laid down their lives with another 1,363 suffering
injuries fighting the enemy. Unfortunately, the impact of
this heroic struggle and sacrifice in the minds of our
people did not last even a couple of years.
Our endeavour is to ensure that the memory of the brave
men must not be forgotten. e tales of their valour must be
told and retold. e younger generations must be inspired
to follow their footsteps when it comes to the question of
national security; and above all to give a pride of place in
the society to such immortal souls. is Day is not only to
remember our martyrs, but also to honour those who
took part in the War.
Grenadier Yoginder Singh, who was instrumental in the
capture of Tiger Hill, after a seven hour long battle and
receiving 5 bullet wounds in the process, was one of the
lucky ones to live and tell the story.
e Kargil war was fought by the youth of our country,
with pure determination, grit and guts. For them the
pride and prestige of their country and the regiments
they belonged to came first and foremost. ey sacrificed
their today, for our tomorrow.
When the Indian army established their firm base in
Siachen in 1984, Pakistan tried to evict them through a
massive operation spear headed by its Special
Operations Groups but our army could not be evicted. So
again, the Pakistan army tried a similar stunt in summer
1999, by occupying the heights vacated by the Indian
army, during the previous winter. It is common tactical
knowledge to appreciate the difficulty in recapturing
such heights from the enemy in high altitudes and snow
bound areas with freezing temperatures. But Pakistan
soon realised that the Officers and Jawans of the Indian
army are made of sterner mettle; to them the honour and
safety of their country always came first.
ey may not be with us today, but their memories will
always be cherished in our hearts.
A quote from Julien Grenfel:-
“The thundering line of battle stands
And in the air death moans and sings,
But day shall clasp him in strong hands
And night shall fold him in soft wings”
Just see the last letter of Lt Manoj Pandey, written to his
parents, from the war zone. “I do not know what will
happen at the next moment. But, I can assure you and all
country men that certainly we will push back the
intruders at whatever may the cost be.” Mind you that this
brave man was just 22 years old. Or, consider this from
another youngster, who was in his early twenties, Capt
Vikram Batra. He was code named 'Sher Sha' after a series
of exploits in those icy heights. His slogan was 'Dil mange
more'. His regret was, he could not capture more before
he was gunned down himself.
Dear Folks, thus, “Night, eternal night, has folded our
martyrs in its soft wings". Soldiers don't die. ey just
fade away.
Let us remember them, on 26 July every year and pay a
simple homage. Just light a candle at your house at 8 pm,
and place a flower. Just say, JAI HIND, as a prayer.
Jai Hind!
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