16th anniversary of Kargil War: Today, if our country is safe, it is because of their efforts

Students from various schools across the Tricity, including Yadvindra Public School, Mohali; Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36; New Public School, Sector 18; and DAV Senior Secondary School (Lahore), Sector 8; gathered at the War Memorial, and lit candles to honour the valour of the martyrs.

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“We respect our soldiers. Today, if our country is safe and independent, it is because of their efforts. We should never forget the sacrifices they made for us,” said Mukesh, a student of Class 5, as he walked along with his classmates, reading the names etched on the black granite slabs at the memorial.

The event was organised by The Indian Express, in collaboration with J J Nikkamal, Sector 22.

Apart from students, a number of city residents including some from families of martyrs also paid homage to the martyrs at the memorial. As the memorial glowed with the candles lit in the memory of valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation, the pipe band of Ladakh Scouts played in the background.

As an initiative by Lieutenant General K J Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, around 20 Army soldiers who were among thousands of soldiers who fought the 1999 Kargil war also came to pay homage to the martyrs at the memorial.

“We won because we had the willpower and faith, which led us to victory. It is a historic day, and so, we have come from different places where we are currently posted to pay tributes to the martyrs,” said Colonel A S Chandok, who commanded one of the units during the war, and is currently posted in Jammu. Professor Pam Rajput, who was Founding Director of Panjab University’s Centre for Women Studies and Development, and BJP city chief Sanjay Tandon were among others who attended the event. A number of youth volunteers and members of Aam Aadmi Party and BJP also paid homage to the martyrs.