The country celebrates the second `Kargil Vijay Diwas`, on Thursday in a solemn tribute to the bravery of the armed forces. Candles will be lit at the war memorial in India Gate by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and hundreds of school children at a ceremony on Thursday night to remember those killed in the Kargil conflict in the summer of 1999.
Since last year, July 26 is being observed as the `Kargil Vijay Diwas` to celebrate the success of the Indian armed forces in evicting Pakistani intruders from the icy heights of the Kargil sector after a two-month battle that began in May. On Thursday, President K R Narayanan, vice-president Krishan Kant, the Prime Minister, Defence Minister Jaswant Singh and the three service chiefs will lay wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to pay homage to the 527 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in Kargil and the martyrs of other wars whose names are inscribed on the War Memorial.
On the eve of the occasion, President Narayanan said the nation remembers with pride the tale of triumph that was Kargil. He lauded the exemplary performance of men and women in uniform beyond the call of duty. Prime Minister Vajpayee also expressed gratitude towards the soldiers and airmen who gave their lives in the service of the nation.

The Defence Minister lauded the armed forces for their gallantry and courage displayed during the Kargil operations.

In Maharashtra, Mumbai would mark the occasion with senior officers of the armed forces laying wreaths at the statue of Subedar Joginder Singh, PVC, near the Afgan Church at Colaba.

At another function, Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would pay homage to the martyrs at the Y B Chavan Auditorium and the next of kin of 22 Kargil martyrs will receive `Tamra Patra` (scroll of honour) and Rs five lakh in cash. Also five disabled soldiers will receive Rs one to three lakh each and a scroll of honour.

Bureau Report