As India celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas today, Odisha remembers the Bravehearts from the state and leads the nation in paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of 1999 and salutes their valour, grit and indomitable courage.
The nation will always bow to the brave sons for keeping the integrity of the nation intact. Their exceptional stories of bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty will always be remembered and inspire generations to come.
It is their indomitable courage, valour and sacrifice that made it possible to uphold the esteem of our Tricolour and gloriously unfurl it again on the inaccessible and challenging heights of Kargil.
The entire nation salutes the soldiers and troops who are the reason for the safe and invincible country that India is today. On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Odisha pays homage to all those Bravehearts who lost their lives protecting our nation and motivate every single Indian every day.
As many as 527 soldiers laid down their lives while over 1300 sustained injuries during Operation VIJAY as the Indian Army repulsed an attack by Pakistan. Among the martyrs are several Odia soldiers who were forefront warriors and laid their lives for our motherland.
Braveheart Gopinath Moharana of Janardanpur village under Nischintakoili block in Cuttack district attained martyrdom in the Kargil war. He was only 23 when he made the supreme sacrifice.
Remembering Moharana’s last visit to the village, his mother said, "I visit my son’s statue every day and recall his bravery. I am proud of my son."
On this today, let us also remember Gangaram Das, another brave son of Odisha from Harida village in Balasore.
“Martyr Gangaram’s sacrifice will always be remembered forever,” said Sushant Kumar Parida, a local.
Villagers of Panguda village under Chandbali block in Bhadrak also remember the bravery and extreme sacrifice of Niranjan Behera.
“Niranjan will remain in our hearts forever. He has made our village and the State proud,” said Biswakeshari Mohanty, a local.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 in honour of the Kargil War heroes and to observe India’s victory over Pakistan.