The main function was held at Gandhi Park on Wednesday on Kargil Vijay Diwas (Valour Day). Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil war by laying a wreath at the war memorial. He also honored the relatives of the martyrs.
The CM announced that one additional District Sainik Welfare Office would be opened at Herbertpur in Dehradun and Didihat in Pithoragarh. The Sainik Welfare Department and the district administration will take care of all the Sainik Dwars and monuments in the state. The Chief Minister said that the Indian Army wrote a new definition of valor in the Kargil war.
The whole world recognized the valor of the Indian Army by the manner in which the Indian soldiers chased the intruders across the border in the Kargil war in adverse circumstances. The battle cry of Indian soldiers against the enemy in Kargil is resonating with the same ferocity till today. Many generations to come will continue to take inspiration from it.
He said that such events are necessary so that the future generation is familiar with this heroic saga. Keep it in your mind, in your memory. The Chief Minister said that whenever the need arose, the heroes of Uttarakhand have shown indomitable courage and valor to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country. Even in the Kargil war, 75 brave sons from Uttarakhand were martyred. Said that we will never let the memory of our soldiers fade away.
A grand army base is being constructed in Guniyalgaon of Doon in the memory of the martyrs. Our aim is to make it so grand that people from all over the country come here. The government is also working to build a Sainik Memorial Center in Sainik-dominated village Sawad and to increase the number of Sainik rest houses in the state. The state government is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and dependents of martyred soldiers. The government is employing a member of the family of the martyred soldiers according to his merit. There has been an unprecedented increase in lump sum and annuity amount given to soldiers decorated with state gallantry medals. Said that serving and ex-servicemen have been given 25 per cent exemption in stamp duty on purchase of property worth Rs 25 lakh.
The Chief Minister said that his relation with the army is a relation of intimacy. The stories of the brave soldiers heard from his father greatly influenced him from his childhood and instilled in him the feeling of dedication towards the nation. Sainik Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi said that the Indian Army has always displayed exemplary courage and patriotism in upholding the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. It is our first duty to always be ready for the honor and welfare of the brave soldiers and their relatives who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the borders of the country.
On this occasion, school students presented patriotic songs. MLA Khajandas, Savita Kapoor, Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama, District Magistrate Sonika, SSP Dalip Singh Kunwar, Director of Military Welfare Brigadier Amritlal (Senior), Retired Major General Devesh Agnihotri, Brigadier Sammi Sabharwal, Brigadier Dinesh Badola and all ex-servicemen and martyrs were present in the program. Relatives were also present.
