Dehradun : On the occasion of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, a tribute ceremony was organised in Dehradun where Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid homage to the immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War of 1999.
Speaking at the ceremony, CM Dhami began by welcoming attendees, saying, "A heartfelt welcome and greetings to all of you who have come to the tribute ceremony organised on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dehradun."
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's growing self-reliance, especially in the defence sector, stating, "Under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is becoming self-reliant in every field, especially in the defence sector."
Paying respects to the martyrs of the Kargil war, he added, "On the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay my respects to all those immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of Mother India. In the valleys, hills, and winds of Kargil, the battle cry of the Indian Army's brave warriors still resonates with the same vigor today. The valiant soldiers, with the tricolour tied on their heads, roared with such ferocity that the enemy trembled."
Highlighting Uttarakhand's contribution to the war effort, Dhami said, "The saga of Kargil's victory would be incomplete without mentioning the brave soldiers of Uttarakhand. In this war, 537 brave soldiers attained martyrdom, of which 75 were valiant sons of Uttarakhand."
He further emphasised how the courage of the Kargil martyrs continues to serve as an inspiration for future generations. He said, "The heroic saga of Kargil's immortal soldiers inspires the youth for national service."Recalling the leadership during the 1999 conflict, Dhami remarked, "Under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, we won the Kargil war both on the battlefield and at the table."
He also spoke about Operation Sindoor, lauding the current military strength of India: "Today, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the morale of the army has been boosted. The army possesses state-of-the-art weapons. Our valiant army, through Operation Sindoor, brought Pakistan to its knees in just four days, forcing them to beg for a truce."
Reiterating India's strong response to hostile actions, he said, "Today, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our army is becoming self-reliant. Our weapons are many times better than those of other countries' armies. Today's India responds to a bullet with shells."
He added, "The response to the Uri attack was a surgical strike, after Pulwama came the air strike, and now through Operation Sindoor, it has been made clear that those who dare to destroy the sindoor of our sisters and daughters will have their entire lineage wiped out."
Dhami also highlighted the improved border security under the present government: "Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, our government is also working with commitment towards the welfare of soldiers. An unprecedented increase has been made in the ex-gratia amount for soldiers receiving gallantry awards."
Announcing initiatives for soldier welfare in Uttarakhand, he stated, "In the border district of Chamoli, an ECHS and a rest house will be built in Kaleshwar. A soldiers' rest house will be constructed in Nainital. Through UPNL, ex-servicemen will be sent abroad for job opportunities."
He concluded with a firm commitment: "Our government will continuously work for the welfare of soldiers, ex-servicemen, and the dependents of martyrs with unwavering resolve."
The event in Dehradun stood as a powerful tribute to the valor and sacrifice of India's Kargil heroes, reaffirming the state's and nation's dedication to their legacy.