Kargil Vijay Diwas- Regional Roundup

Dear Colleagues,
Here is some regional round up.
The Kargil Divas has been celebrated with great enthusiasm across many cities in the country. It had been a forgotten event till three years ago when the IESM took up the issue. Today not only the ESM community but also the civil institutions as well as the media have started recognizing the importance of paying homage to our martyrs. Heartiest compliments to Colonel Rakesh Chaturvedi who as an IESM Governing Body member has been the pushing hand in this regard.
Havildar Gurmel Singh from Dera Baba Nanak (Punjab) controls three Blocks where ESM density is high. With the political activity building up in Punjab they have told the politicians that they will attend rallies of only those aspirants who arrange for the OROP issue to be taken up in the Parliament. Colonel Balbir Parmar, a premature retiree from AEC, has started a political outfit named Sainik Samaj Party in Dehradun. He is the President and the Party has received recognition of the Election Commission on 25 July 2011. He is mailing his manifesto, after which he has requested a meeting with the IESM leadership. Among other things they seek Presidential form of government in the country.
These may be mere fledgling steps. But these leave no doubt there is a stirring and the ESM have begun to realise their own strength and potential. As they say even Henry Ford started as a workshop hand.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Dear Kamboj,
On 27 Jul 2011 at Navi Mumbai, Kharghar we celebrated Kargil Divas. A brief report is attached. Item was covered by print/electronic media
Brigadier Dharam Prakash (Retd)

Report
Kargil Vijay Diwas was organized on 26 July 2011 by the Faculty and students of the ITM Business School, Khargar in the College premises. Senior Citizens Leagues of Navi Mumbai nodes, Ex-Servicemen’s League and the Rotary Club Kharghar, sponsored the event. The function was held at the initiative of the students. More than 200 people participated in the function.
Dr C S Adhikari, Director of the School presided over the function which started at 1630 hours in the auditorium. Dr Adhikari was happy to narrate that the students approached him to organize the event to commemorate the sacrifices of the Armed Forces. Brig S C Sharma [R etd]narrated the rugged features of Kargil terrain. The temperature dips down to minus 60 degrees celus. Both, India and Pakistan, followed the practice of vacating some of the posts in winter and rely on patrols. Pakistan surreptiously occupied the posts over 200 square kms. The intrusion was reported by a shepherd on 3 May 1999. Pakistan’s hopes of taking parts of Kashmir or Internationalizing the issue were belied by the valour, grit and determination of our Armed Forces. He recounted the deeds of some of the bravehearts.
Brig Atma Ram [Retd] gave the background of planning for tackling intrusions and hostile acts of Pakistan. The Commander at Kargil had warned of likely intrusion but no timely action was taken. His warning was ignored. He had served in that area till February 1999. Pakistan had destroyed supplies stores through observed artillery fire. There was a failure of Intelligence.
Lt Col [Retd] Dr Shiv Shankar had served in Kargil prior to the war. He displayed slides to explain the difficulties of living, fighting and providing medical help. The operating theatre had to be heated to bring the temperature to 10 degrees before an operation. He was providing medical help to civilians as well.Young students showed keen interest in the Operations and valor of the Armed Forces Mr K N Sharma, President Senior Citizens League, Khargar proposed a vote of thanks. The meeting ended with the national anthem.

Kargil war hero waits for govt to fulfill promise

A brave soldier, who was disabled while fighting in the Kargil war, is still waiting for the government's promised help even as the country is observing the 12th anniversary of the victory.
Kargil war hero waits for govt to fulfill promise

Dear Veterans,
1. On the occasion of 12th Anniversary Nation Salutes the martyrs of Kargil War, who laid down “THEIR TODAY FOR OUR TOMORROW”, organized by Dr TC Rao, Veteran, Chairman Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, Ex-Servicemen Department.
2. On 26 Jul 2011, a large number of Ex-Servicemen, & War widows gathered at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi to pay homage to War martyrs of Kargil.
3. The function started with two minutes silence in the memory of martyrs.
4. It was a touching seene to meet 53 War Widows of Kargil, staying at Delhi, Noida & Gurgaon.
5. Sh JP Agarwal, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & President of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, Sh Mahabal Mishra, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mrs Nafisa Ali Sodhi, Social Activist, Maj Ved Prakash, Secretary AICC, Capt Praveen Davar, Secretary AICC Ex-Servicemen, Brig DN Yadav, SM, who commanded Regiment during Kargil operation. Approx 600 Ex- Servicemen participated in the memorial meeting.
6. Sh JP Agarwal assured the War widows that he is always on call to them to solve their problems faced by them. He further mentioned that Govt is proud of our Armed forces and we are duty bound to look after the War Widows and Ex-Servicemen. He said that the govt keeps martyrs families in high esteem and all possible help would be extended to them.
7. Sh Mahabal Mishra who is also an Ex-Servicemen said he feels the pain of War widows & assured that he is always approachable to War Widows & Ex-Servicemen to solve their problems.
8. Mrs Nafisa Ali Sodhi, said that Govt should take special care for War widows in allotting petrol pumps, gas agencies and other planned rehabilitation schemes for War Widows as they have to look after their small children in the absence of their husband.
9. Maj Ved Prakash, said that he is concerned for War widows & Ex-Servicemen & said that UPA Govt will always keep in mind the sacrifice made by our defence personnel.
10. Capt Praveen Davar, narrated as to how Kargil War was conducted & what difficulties were faced by our troops. He assured that Ex-Servicemen cell of AICC is aware of problems faced by our War Widows.
11. Dr TC Rao Veteran, who organized the function expressed his gratitude to War Veterans, Retd Officers, JCOs & Other ranks who had came to participate in the memorial service. He high lighted the problems of War Widows & Ex-servicemen staying at Delhi & assured them that he is always approachable for their problems.
12. Dr TC Rao, Veteran is also founder of Gramin Uthaan – Bharat Nirman, presented shawls to war Widows present in the function. Brig DN Yadav,SM & Sub Mohamad Khan, SM were also honoured with shawl having participated in the Kargil War & decorated for their bravery.
13. Dr Rao assured every one that Smt Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA, Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister & Defence Minister are considerable to the problems & welfare of Ex-Servicemen.
Jai Hind.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr TC Rao, Veteran
Chairman

Firstly, congratulations on having organized the function yesterday. I had been out of town and could not attend. Would have liked to. Reference Ms Nafisa Ali's suggestion about the Petrol Pump allocation. Kindly see Mail Today 27 July ("Kargil Hero waits for govt to come good on promise") regarding Veteran Mohd Rafiq not having YET been given the petrol pump promised to him. I feel this may be a good opportunity for you to have the necessary follow up done.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project launched in Mumbai- Mumbai/ July 25, 2011
Lt Gen Sanjeev Chopra, GOC, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat Area launched a programme ‘Adopt A Hero’ by releasing posters of our war heroes who fought valiantly for the country and have been decorated with the highest Gallantry Award ‘Param Vir Chakra (PVC)’.
These posters- clcik here are brought out by an NGO ‘NCC Alumni and National Welfare Trust’. The concept of this programme is that schools and colleges who would like to participate will be provided these posters free of cost, for display at prominent places in their Institution.
Keeping the contemporary situation in view it is important that the youth are made aware of the importance of being ever vigilant and are given a fair idea about our heroes who have ‘Given their today for our better tomorrow’.
This project has now been launched in Mumbai in order to inculcate a sense of patriotism and awareness among the students.
NCC Alumni and Welfare Trust has been carrying out the activities of inculcating a sense of patriotism and service to the country and encouraging the youth specially the NCC Cadets and erstwhile NCC Cadets to the Armed Forces.
PIB Release/MH/121
ADOPT A HERO’ PROJECT LAUNCHED AT MUMBAI