Kargil Divas

COMMEMORATION OF THE 12TH ANNIVERASRY OF KARGIL VIJAY DIVAS I have great pleasure to share the following mail from Veteran Ajit Odhekar. May his tribe increase. Will other Veterans please popularize this event? Thanks. Ajit. I wish you would add on the Candle Light Tribute too.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi

Dear Sir,
In our Dhule district we have five Kargil war Martyrs. Out of them three are from Dhule taluka only. With the initiative of IESL Dhule, without any government support we have erected two grand memorials in their village with local public contribution. Out of which one was inaugurated by Late Lt Gen A.S. Parmar,AVSM,PVSM ADC with lots of fan fare. And last 10 years we are celiberating Kargil Vijay Diwas at 2400hrs at war memorial erected in center of Dhule city. Attended by people from all walks of life.Even if it is raining people listen to us at ut most attention and we also allow to any body who wish to express his view on the subject. Local colleges also arrange workshop on the National Security and invite us for delivering lecture.It gets lots of publicity on local level and occasion to put across our problems as veterans.
CAPT AJIT ODHEKAR
CEO & GM Admin,
Jairam Hospitals & Research Centre Pvt Ltd Nashik

Hello, Veterans of Karnataka!
I am no good at writing, please tolerate lack of fluency, readability, etc. Dear All,
What are we planning to do to Commemorate Kargil Divas?
Sure, some self interested high profile NGO is lurking around to highjack the event. Then we will all be there for the wreath/ flowers to be handed over to be laid as per the protocol and there on get marshaled to decorated Shamiana and so on.
Why, we the greats of Army, Air Force or Navy Veterans have so far not attempted to re-establish a strong and vibrant IESM fraternity including all ranks?
Is it that the Veterans of Karnataka, a state that boasts of venturing to create first ever National Mil Memorial, a state that produced Great Generals etc, etc, have become suddenly deficient of pride of being a Veteran? Was one & the only Col Rajan a phenomenon could achieve a lot but who finally/ unfortunately preferred to stay out?
Dearest Veterans, I am confused at the present state of affairs, please pardon me for all the above lamentations and accusations, but I do beg for some solution so am looking for some kind of meeting of minds. Getting engaged our self in any form of road show, sit-in demonstrations and not the least in badakhanas is not being suggested. We might as well make a restart by just assembling around Unknown Soldier to commemorate The Kargil Day. Would it be OK? For, if we now make a beginning, we may do better things on Vijay Divas!
Certainly we do not want the presence of any shade of Politics or show of magnanimity by vested interests, we carry a wreath or a flower each and lay it as an act of Homage, exchange pleasantries and thin out gracefully. One last point, all or any are welcome to task me for what ever to be done in this regard, but wish me better health and strength to push ahead so that Civilians shall follow Military Men instead of them pushing us in this matter of Great Militarily Solemn Function.
With Fondest Regards.
Veteran Sreedhar.

Dear Col Sreedhar,
Thanks very much for your timely and clarion call for organizing the Kargil Vijay Divas. I wish more and more ESM think similarly and organize this event at their towns/ settlements(and gradually and repeatedly also include the other historic milestone- Vijay Divas 16 Dec, until both become ritualistically included in the citizenry's calender of important dates).We in NCR are organizing following functions, aside from lectures in willing schools by veterans, on intrinsic qulalities like valor, camaraderie etc (not many have been marshalled so far unfortunately due to some reasons).Homage to Martyrs. Shaheed Smaarak Noida. Sunday 24 July. 1100-1300. Citizen's function. No chief guest. No politics. No speeches. A very quiet homage. Followed by a cup of tea. Plan to have Blood Donation and Organ Pledging organized for volunteeers. This was done in 2009 and inspired many. That year we had 80 odd units of blood donated and 68 people pledged organs. Kargil Divas is 26th but by experience,we find a Week end draws better crowd.Candle Lighting Homage. At 8 PM 26 July, homes- both military and civilinans, across India-er- world, light one candle at their entrance, and lay a marigold by its side after saying a silent prayer for those who did not come back. This poignant ceremony has been widely accepted Pan India.Sponsors are encouraged, and their banners/ tributes can be displayed at site, suitably. In Bangalore, as you rightly point out, Col Rajan had been organizing it well, and single handedly I am told. Last Year, I understand, 'Flags of Honor - perhaps the NGO you hint, did it, as per some mails that came out on this. Whichever way, I believe the EVENT must carry on, irrespective of WHO does it. May I urge you to take the lead?
Therefore go forth companion, when you find,
No Highway more, No track, all being blind,
The way to go, shall glimmer in the mind.
Though you have conquered Earth, and charted Sea,
And planned the courses of all Stars that be,
Adventure on, more wonders are in Thee.
Adventure on, for from the littlest clue,
Has come whatever worth man ever knew,
The next to lighten all me, may be you. (John Masefield) -With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi

Commemoration of the 12th Anniverasry of Kargil Vijay Divas at Panchkula on Sunday, July 24, 2011
For the Tricity Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula, and Dist Panchkula, it has been resolved to commemorate the 12th Anniversay of the Kargil Vijay Divas on Sunday, July 24 at Panchkula under arrangements of the IESM Panchkula Branch as per programme below:
Homage Ceremony 1030 – 1130H Including Tea & Refreshments
Candle Light Vigil 2000 ­– 2045 H
Place Major Shankla War Memorial, Sector – 2, Panchkula (Opposite Bella Vista Mall)
You are all requested to participate in the functions with family and
friends. The Ex-Servicemen community must use this occasion to bond together.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Brig Kiran Krishan, SM (Retd)
Convener, IESM Panchkula Branch