Manipur observes Kargil Vijay Diwas

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh,  on Kargil Vijay Diwas observation, recalled the valour and courage shown by Indian soldiers during the Kargil War driving away the Pakistani forces by recapturing mountain heights that had been seized by Pakistani intruders.

The Kargil Vijay Diwas at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles in presence of rural development and Panchayati Raj minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and health and family welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh.

Biren honoured the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers to save the integrity and sovereignty of the country.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed across the country on July 26 every year, to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War by ousting Pakistani forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops of Northern Kargil district in Ladakh in 1999.

The chief minister said Indian soldiers had overcome many challenges, camping at extremely cold regions, during the war which went on for 74 days, informing that the country lost 527 soldiers in the war.

India had witnessed considerable progress in every field, after 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the country progresses in its path of development, many challenges including enmity from neighbouring countries would create impediments to the growth progress. As such, we should maintain our unity and sense of brotherhood and should be ready to face any eventualities on our way towards development. Considering its importance, the central government had come up with the Agnipath scheme, he added.

Expressing happiness on Manipur bagging the top position in the North East and Hill State category of the third edition of NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index, 2021, he lauded his ministers, MLAs and all officials of the state government for their hard work and dedication towards good governance and welfare of the people.

Mentioning the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’, a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence, the chief minister appealed to the public to hoist our National flag with pride with the thought of one nation.

Khemchand termed the Kargil Vijay Diwas as a significant day as it marks the end of the Kargil War in which the Indian forces defeated the Pakistani troops and militants driving them away from the Indian side of the Line of Control. He said the valour and indomitable spirit of our brave soldiers should be honoured and added that everyone in this country should feel proud of the bravery shown by our soldiers.

As a part of the observation, the artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal performed a patriotic song.

The observation was also attended by ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, director general of police, high ranking civil and police officials among others.