NCR Kargil Vijay Divas 26 July 2011

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind. The programme for celebrations of Kargil Diwas in NCR, being organised by IESM, is given in the email below.Be a good soldier and join the celebrations with family and friends. We look forward to your valuable support. Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj

Sent: 09 July 2011 15:49
Subject: Kargil Divas - Noida/ NCR KARGIL VIJAY DIVAS : 26 JULY 2011 Kargil Divas falls on 26 July. It is the day when the entire area captured treacherously in Ladakh by Pakistan in 1999, was fully cleared by some very dogged and ferocious actions, fought by our valiant soldiers, led 'from the front' in true Indian Army ethos, by Officers.The tenacity and courage with which Indian Army units precariously negotiated the razor edged mountain ridges in darkness, for day light spelt doom from the machine gun swept mountain slopes bereft of vegetation, is testimony to the leadership, training and professionalism of the best army in the world. Truly, Tenacity in Adversity.
Amongst all military actions fought since independence, this was not only the longest, but the ferociousness brought about the maximum casualties. 527 personnel died. 1363 were seriously injured. Four PVCs- the Bravest of the Brave, were awarded, two posthumously. Nine MVCs were awarded, six posthumously. The Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM), commemorates the valour of the Indian soldiers each year, on Kargil Divas by India wide participatory activities. As the soldier is primarily a son of the soil, a national asset and not just a member of the Defence services, we believe that such commemoration of valor has to move beyond cantonments and largely involve the citizenry. Related events therefore are planned with such participation in mind.Following events are planned this year.

Lectures in Schools by Veterans. In the week preceding Kargil Divas. Taking Kargil War as backdrop, they would talk on inculcation of intrinsic qualities like Values, Camaraderie etc that characterize the Armed Forces fraternity.

Homage to Martyrs. Shaheed Smaarak, Sec 29, Noida. Sunday 24 July. 1100-1300 hrs. Its a Citizen's function. No politics. No Chief Guests. Blood Donation and Organ Pledging camps are planned on site for those who volunteer for this. All are requested to attend.

Lighting Candles at Home. This poignant ceremony has been appreciatively adopted by many households- both in the military and non military ones, in the past two years. At 8 PM on Kargil Divas- Tuesday 26 July, citizens across India light a candle at their residence entrance, and lay a marigold by its side, after saying a prayer for those who did not come back.

Theatrical Poetry Program. A College students Group dedicates their Theatrical Poetry performance during the week preceding Kargil Divas, to the valour of our Bravehearts who snapped victory from the jaws of a very dangerous situation.
Details later. All are requested to participate in large numbers. For any queries, please feel free to contact me. Thanks.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi, IESM