Kargil- Soldiers Spirit Spells Fate of the Nation

Date: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009, 1:55 AM
To the Editor-in Chief, Letters@tribuneindia.com

Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM and am a war disabled officer of the Indo-Pak War of 1971. I am currently in the UK and have been following with interest the issue of the Kargil war and the Government's decision not to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of that war.

I am the author several books on military history including 'Param Vir - Our heroes in Battle', 'The sinking of INS Khukri', 'The Indian Army- A Brief History' and 'The history of the first-firfth Gorkha Rifles'. I have also had several articles published in military journals and national magazines.

I would be grateful if you would consider the attached article (click me) for publishing as it is topical in view of the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the Kargil war.

Thanking you
yours sincerely
Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, AVSM,SM (Retd)

Whatever the faults of the political hierarchy of that time and the political hangover of today, the courage of the Indian soldier must not be forgotten. The sad truth is that the soldier is remembered only in time of war. Kargil has already faded from public memory and it appears that some politicians would like the story of that war to be permanently dead and buried.

The fate of a nation during war hinges on how well her soldiers fight. Recognition of the sacrifices that soldiers make, so that we may live is the least that we can do to tell them that their sacrifices have not been in vain and that the nation is grateful and remembers. Good leaders understand that this is the essence of morale and that morale is a battle winning factor. Failure to understand this basic need of the soldier may have consequences that will only be known as and when we go to war again and then it may be too late.
Read the full article click link below:
REMEMBERING KARGIL By Ian Cardozo