GUWAHATI: On the occasion of 22nd celebrations of Kargil Vijay Divas, chief minister Himanta Biswa on Monday visited the War Memorial at Dighalipukhuri here on Monday and paid rich floral tributes in the honour of martyrs who laid down their lives to protect and recapture Indian territories from the clutch of intruders.
The Kargil Vijay Divas is a successful culmination of a well laid out operation that started on May 8 and ended on July 26, 1999.
On this day, the India Army announced that all opposition forces and intruders have been driven out from all occupied heights of Kargil and other sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
Altogether 674 Indian forces were martyred including three sons of the soil of Assam namely captain Jintu Gogoi, Uddhav Das and Nanda Chand Sinha who also laid down their lives for the cause of motherland.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said, “On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Divas, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the brave heart martyrs who went above and beyond the call of duty to fight against our enemies for securing the integrity and sovereignty of our nation. I consider myself fortunate to have attended the celebrations which symbolise the valiant heroics and supreme sacrifice of our armed forces to secure and reclaim the heights of Jammu and Kashmir”.
Sarma also said the Assam government has reiterated its commitment to be with the jawans and do everything possible for their welfare.
Sarma also said that welfare of the ex-servicemen constitutes the priority agenda as his government will take more schemes for the welfare of the men in uniform post retirement also.
Sarma who also interacted with the parents of Captain Jintu Gogoi, TR Gogoi and Dulu Gogoi, said that people of Assam continue to derive inspiration from the supreme sacrifice of late Jintu Gogoi. He also said that his government has planned to set up four more Sainik Schools across the state to help the young generation to imbibe in them the spirit of national service being in schools.
On the occasion, the chief minister also inaugurated and dedicated a museum built within the premises of the war memorial.
Senior most veteran officer Lt Gen PK Bharali (retd), GoC 51 Sub-Area Major Gen Vikas Saini, deputy GoC 21 Mountain Division TPS Console, Air Officer Commanding 19 Wing, Borjhar Atul Saggar, director of sainik welfare ND Joshi and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.