The Kargil crusade

the contribution of the Indian Armed Forces, nor has help or recognition been forthcoming. Memorial services have been organised, but these have been few and far between. But on July 26, 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war on its 10th anniversary. “I join the entire nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity,” the Prime Minister wrote in the visitor’s book at Amar Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi. “The best tribute we can pay to the gallant officers and jawans is to dedicate ourselves to the gigantic task of nation building and work steadfastly to protect the unity and integrity of our nation,” he added.

His words came as a salve to serving defence personnel, who had been campaigning for a formal 10th anniversary celebration, while the government dillydallied. Thanks to the pressure exerted by them and the media, the sacrifice of the bravehearts was lauded yet again as the nation revisited the events leading up to and after that particular war, especially that momentous last battle at Tiger Hill.

There is a touch of cynicism in Maj Gen Pushpendra Singh (retd), for instance, as he comments, “A politician is basically a creature of public opinion as defined by specific interests of the electorate, hence only public pressure generated through media and human interest stories can work. Till the last minute the Congress spokesman was arguing that this was a defence services’ affair and political leadership had nothing to do with itbesides it would aggravate tensions in our neighbouring country. Indian exservicemen worked hard and played a key role in generating public awareness (of the anniversary celebrations). In Indian society, apathy to public good or national interest is the norm.”

R. Admiral S.C. Gupta (retd) VSM, visiting his son and daughter in law in Sydney feels differently. “Better late than never,” he says. “Recognition means that the government should ensure that the armed forces are well equipped, trained and looked after. Special departments need to be instigated to provide support and financial guidance to war widows, children and aged parents.”

Col Jatinder Singh Bawa (retd) also feels it is essential to regularly commemorate military victories. “The army fights based on experience of earlier wars, and the actions and motivations of those who fought in those wars and survived to retell events, or left their mark in history by becoming martyrs. This is why it is important that we remember the bravehearts who lost their lives, whilst looking after those they left behind”.

Kargil

The very name evokes memories of war, sacrifice and the relentless battle between Indian and Pakistani troops at this scenic locale in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

It was in July 1999 when the Indian Armed Forces finally managed to make the aggressors retreat from across the Line of Control (LOC) in the Kargil Sector. After two months of blood and sweat, the Indian Armed Forces finally tasted victory. But it was at the cost of the lives of hundreds of soldiers, and had a count of over 7,000 injured.

A two-day celebration was arranged by the Army and civil authorities near the war memorial at Drass in Kargil. Family members of several soldiers, who attained martyrdom during the war, had also arrived here to visit the areas where their brave dear ones made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. As his vehicle made way towards the memorial, General V P Malik, the then Army Chief who won India the war, is said to have looked with moist eyes at the peaks, which are full of stories of blood and gut and valour, where over five hundred of his brave Indian troops laid down their lives so that their fellow Indians could feel safe and protected in their motherland.

The aftermath of war is never pleasant, and among the sufferers were civilians, as villages looked like ghost towns with bulletridden walls. Thousands of children lost an academic year and many migrated to other parts of Ladakh to escape the horror. And as for the martyrs who lost their lives, their families received financial support akin to just a band-aid, as they were also preyed on by unscrupulous people offering fake help and advice. Some widows were even forced to marry their brothers-in-law!

Since the momentous victory at Kargil, little has been done to acknowledge

We cannot forget Kargil. We cannot forget the ones who sacrificed their lives, who fought valiantly, who won us this crucial battle. The government of India needs to keep the Kargil flame burning in remembrance through each passing year. And on every anniversary of the Kargil war, the nation needs to stand up as one, in respect and reverence for the heroes of this land, who protected and continue to defend our legacy.