Photo exhibition, musical skit mark Kargil Vijay Diwas in Hoshiarpur

Hoshiarpur, July 26

The District Defence Services Welfare Office (DDSWO), Hoshiarpur, organised an event at Shaheedi Hall to celebrate the Rajat Jayanti of Kargil Vijay Diwas and honoured the families of Kargil Martyrs and ex-servicemen. The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI, in coordination with the DDSWO set up a day-long photo exhibition on Kargil depicting how the war was fought in 1999.

Hoshiarpur SDM Preet Inder Singh was the chief guest at the event and paid homage at the Martyrs’ Memorial along with secretary, District Defence Services Welfare Board, Hoshiarpur, Wing Commander Gurpreet Singh (retd) and Field Publicity Officer, CBC, Rajesh Bali by laying wreath.

SDM Preet Inder and Wing Commander Singh presented cheques for Rs 5,100 to each of the 20 families of the Kargil Martyrs from the district. Three out of them, who were away to Drass to visit Kargil War Memorial, will be handed over their cheques, later. CBC pinned specially designed Badges on all the family members and ex- servicemen and honoured them all. About 100 ex-servicemen and families of the martyrs attended the programme.

While paying tributes to the martyrs because of whom we are celebrating the Vijay Diwas, SDM Singh called upon them and the ex-servicemen to join hands with state government to weed out Drug Menace, another enemy of the society. He said this is the time to come forward and inform about those selling drugs and ruining the youth of Punjab. DSP City Amar Nath was the Guest of Honour of the program.

Wing Commander Gurpreet Singh (retd) thanked the gathering while lauding the role our forces played to defeat the enemy in Kargil War which was fought on a very tough terrain and hostile environment.

Field Publicity Officer Rajesh Bali said today’s day is both solemn and of celebrations as we also remember our those bravehearts because of whom the Nation is celebrating the Rajat Jayanti of Kargil Vijay Diwas. He thanked the parents and families of those martyrs who laid down their lives protecting our borders.

The photo exhibition on Kargil also attracted large number of people besides the invitees. The ex-servicemen, who were once part of the Kargil Operation appreciated the efforts of the Central Bureau of Communication in putting up the exhibition here.

Earlier, a cultural troupe of the CBC presented a musical skit on Kargil War, which was applauded by all as tears rolled down from many eyes.

Students from Govt. Girls School, Railway Mandi presented a Desh Bhakti song. Six cadets from 12 Punjab Battalion of the National Cadet Corps escorted the chief guest and others.