Chandigarh Golf Club lawns reverberate with tales of valour and camaraderie

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 19

The lush lawns of Chandigarh Golf Club on Monday came alive with stories of exemplary valour and sacrifices made by the brave hearts of Indian defence forces in their line of duty.

More than 175 distinguished war veterans of the three armed forces, besides officers from civil services, descended here to participate in the Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament, being held as precursor to the Military Literature Festival to be held in the City Beautiful from December 7 to 9.

The specially crafted event, coming on the heels of hugely participated Cyclothon and Women’s Nature Trail Run yesterday, was amongst a series of competitions and activities being organised to build momentum prior to the much anticipated gala event next month.

The Military Literature Festival is a joint initiative of the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, and the Chandigarh Administration led by VP Singh Badnore, in collaboration with the Indian Army.

The contribution of Indian warriors in the World War I is the focus of the festival, which will highlight the battle accounts and valour of daredevil soldiers who recorded their names in the annals of rich military history.

Celebrated war veterans from across the country had been invited for the golf tourney to come together and share stories of camaraderie and hardships endured during service years, besides tales of heroic deeds spanning over their professional careers.

The distinguished invitees include war historians, writers, scholars and defence experts, who would be lighting up the stage with their sharp insights and explanations on the various facets of intricate military warfare at the panel discussions to be held during the main event.

Earlier, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of celebrated 1971 Longewala war hero Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri who had passed away on Saturday.

GOC-in-C Lt. General Surinder Singh inaugurated the event with ribbon cutting. Lauding the initiative taken by the MLF, General Surinder Singh said it would certainly provide a healthy platform to the retired defence officers to go down memory lane and share their nostalgic moments.

He asked the MLF to hold such events regularly to imbibe the spirit of friendship and amity amongst them.