Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday participated in the Kargil Vijay Diwas programme organized in Mandi district through video conferencing from Shimla and inaugurated Martyr Memorial built at Indira Market in Mandi at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.
This memorial is dedicated to the martyr’s of 1962, 1965 and 1971 and Kargil war of 1999 and the names of all the martyrs are inscribed on this monument. The Chief Minister said that the work of phase-2 of this Martyr Memorial will be started soon.
Thakur paid tribute to all the martyr’s on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas and said that this day is dedicated to those martyrs who have sacrificed their life for the nation. Under the strong will power and vibrant leadership of the then Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the soldiers of India responded to the nefarious designs of Pakistan in Kargil. This day of 26th July is observed in the entire nation as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
He said Himachal Pradesh is known for the valor, gallantry and sacrifices of its soldiers. In the Operation Vijay brave soldiers of the state presented their valor and 52 soldiers were martyred.
Till date, 1096 brave soldiers of the state have received gallantry awards. 1246 valiant soldiers of the state made supreme sacrifices for protecting the mother land. Major Somnath Sharma, who received the first highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra was from Himachal Pradesh. In Kargil war, Captain Vikram Battara was awarded Paramveer Chakra posthumously and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was also awarded Paramveer Chakra for distinguished acts of valour during Kargil war.
Thakur said that besides the financial assistance of Rs. five lakh to each families of 52 martyred soldiers, government employment to one dependents of the families of 44 martyrs has also been provided. Financial assistance has also been provided to the disabled soldiers in this war and employment has been given to the nine disabled soldiers.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has provided salary benefits to the ex-servicemen on the basis of service period in the army.
He said that the government would also make necessary efforts to fill the backlog of ex-servicemen.
He said that the renovation of Saurabh Van Vihar at Palampur would be done for which adequate funds will be made available. He said that the Sainik Welfare Board would be strengthened for the welfare of Ex-servicemen.
Sainik Welfare and Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said that the brave soldiers of the state made their supreme sacrifice for the welfare of the country during every war. He said that to recruit youngsters in the army, a State level pre-coaching academy is being setup in Barchhwad of Sarkaghat in Mandi district.