Scant regard for martyrs

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 26

The ordeal of the families of martyrs is far from over. With the successive governments failing to keep their promises, the former have lost all hopes.

Despite the fact that a large number of soldiers are from the state, a little is done for their kin.

The state has lost hundreds of youths in such wars. Most of the projects announced in name of the martyrs are yet to take off.

All these years, the governments have done nothing to complete the projects.

In Kangra district, roads named after the Kargil War heroes are in a pitiable condition. Work on most of the stretches has been left mid-way, with requests to complete these falling on deaf ears.

In Palampur, Saurabh Van Vihar named after Captain Saurabh Kalia is in a state of neglect. Though senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar has given over Rs 2 crore for the completion of the project, the state government has not contributed even a penny to date.

The then chief minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, had also announced to name Aima village after Captain Saurabh Kalia, but nothing of the sort happened. The road leading to the house of the martyr is in bad shape. Despite repeated requests, the state government has done nothing to get it repaired.

Captain Vikram Batra, who laid down his life fighting intruders in Kargil, was honored with the Param Vir Chakra. The local Pragati Maidan was named after him.

It was announced that a stadium would be constructed in his memory, which did not happen.

The ground has turned into a pool, with garbage strewn all around.