CM honours Martyrs’ families on Kargil Vijay Diwas
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 26 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tributes to the Kargil martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak in a programme held at Gandhi Park on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The Chief Minister also felicitated the families of the Kargil martyrs during the programme. Dhami announced that one additional District Sainik Welfare Office, each, will be opened in Dehradun and Pithoragarh, respectively, and that the Sainik Dwar and other monuments in the state would be looked after by the Sainik Welfare Department and the district administration.
The CM recalled that, in the Kargil war, the Indian Army protected Mother India by showing indomitable courage, valour and might. The battle cry of Indian soldiers against the enemy in Kargil still resonates with the same ferocity even now. The Chief Minister added that the whole world recognised the valour of the Indian Army by the manner in which the Indian soldiers chased the infiltrators away across the border in the Kargil war under highly adverse circumstances. The nation will always remember the sacrifice of the brave soldiers to protect the country’s borders. Dhami reminded that 75 brave sons from Uttarakhand were also martyred in that war. The cultural milieu and ideas that have nurtured every Indian hold the belief that patriotism is the best among all forms of devotion. The Chief Minister stated that his relation with the army is a very close one. The stories of military heroes heard from his father have influenced him a lot since his childhood and instilled in him the feeling of complete dedication towards the nation.
He emphasised that, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the army is not only becoming more capable and empowered than before, but its fame and might is also increasing. While on the one hand, the Union Government is laying emphasis on the modernisation of the army, on the other hand it is also increasing the facilities provided to the soldiers and their families. The Government of India has been working to strengthen the army at every level.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the state government is also committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and dependants of martyred soldiers. One member of every family of martyred soldiers is being employed by the government according to merit. There has been an unprecedented increase in lump sum and annuity given by the Uttarakhand government to soldiers decorated with gallantry medals. The Paramvir Chakra winner is given an amount between Rs 30 and 50 lakhs, Ashok Chakra winners are given an amount from Rs 30 to 50 lakhs, Mahavir Chakra winners are given an amount from Rs 20 to 35 lakhs, Kirti Chakra winners from Rs 20 to 35 lakhs, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra winners from Rs 15 to 25 lakhs and Sena Gallantry Medal from 7 to 15 lakhs. The Chief Minister said that a ‘Shaurya Sthal’ (Military Dham) with state-of-the-art and various facilities is being constructed in Guniyalgaon in Dehradun in the memory of the martyrs. This is being done at a fast pace. Housing assistance of Rs 2 lakhs is being provided to war widows and war disabled soldiers by the Uttarakhand Government. In Uttarakhand, 25 percent exemption in stamp duty has been provided for serving and ex-service personnel on the purchase of property worth Rs 25 lakhs.
Sainik Kalyan Minister Ganesh Joshi added that the Indian Army has always displayed exemplary courage and patriotism in upholding the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. It is the first duty of the citizens to always be ready to honour and take steps for welfare of the brave soldiers, ex-service personnel and their families, who have made the supreme sacrifice to protect the borders of the country. Even though the immortal martyrs who sacrificed everything for the motherland are no longer on this earth, their memories will remain in the hearts of the people forever. The state government is constantly moving forward for the welfare of the soldiers and their dependants. He said that 36 Sainik Rest Houses are operational in Uttarakhand and the Sainik Rest House, Tanakpur, is being modernised.
MLAs Khajan Das, Savita Kapoor, Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama, BJP Mahanagar President Siddharth Aggarwal, Anil Goyal, District Magistrate Sonika, SSP Dalip Singh Kunwar, Director, Soldiers’ Welfare, Brigadier Amrit Lal, Major General Shammi Sabharwal (Retd), Major General Devesh Agnihotri (Retd) and Brigadier Dinesh Badola were among those present.
