27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorated at BJP HQ with rich tributes to India's heroes

New Delhi, July 27 (AHN) The occasion of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas was commemorated Monday by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its national headquarters with glowing tributes paid to the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces in the presence of family members of martyrs, retired military officers and distinguished dignitaries.

Among those present to pay their respects to the heroes who secured India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War were Lt. Gen. V. K. Chaturvedi (Retd.), former Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor (Retd.), Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria (Retd.), and Col. V. N. Thapar (Retd.), father of martyr Captain Vijayant Thapar.

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh addressed the gathering, saluting the nation’s unity and military valour.

Arun Singh emphasised that the programme was not merely ceremonial but a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to uphold unity and integrity. He highlighted initiatives undertaken at the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such as the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and Tiranga Yatras. Beginning August 10, Tiranga Yatras will again be organised across the country with visits to families of the brave sons of Bharat Mata to honour them.

“This is precisely why the BJP is the only political party that conducts such programmes to honour soldiers and their families,” he remarked.

The Union Minister of State described Kargil Vijay Diwas as “an occasion of pride for the nation”, echoing PM Modi’s words that July 26 is not just a date, but a symbol of honour and dignity. He recalled the bravery of soldiers who fought in extreme conditions, hoisting the Tricolour on peaks where victory seemed impossible.

“Bharat Mata Ki Jai is not merely a slogan, but a mantra that inspires and energises 1.4 billion Indians,” observed Sanjay Seth.

Speakers also underscored India’s evolving defence capabilities. The minister pointed to Operation Sindoor, where India carried out retaliatory strikes using only indigenous weapons, showcasing the strength of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He shared that the Defence budget has been fixed at Rs 7.85 lakh crore. India, once primarily an importer of defence equipment, has now emerged as an exporter. Defence exports have risen from around Rs 600 crore about 10–12 years ago to Rs 38,424 crore today, he added.

He further stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has set a target of achieving Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029. That figure has already reached Rs 1.78 lakh crore, he added.

India’s youth and startups are making remarkable contributions to the defence sector, said Seth, adding that PM Modi had recently shared that during a visit to a startup exhibition in France, the French President was astonished by the innovation displayed by Indian startups.

The ceremony also carried deep emotional resonance. Seth shared his personal regret at not serving in uniform, recalling his time as an NCC cadet and expressing wish to be reborn as a soldier.

“A mother lost her son, a father lost his pride, a wife’s vermilion became immortal, and a child learned to search for a father in photographs. Yet India does not mourn its heroes; it celebrates their glory,” he said, evoking the sacrifice of 545 soldiers whose valour illuminated India’s freedom.

The programme also remembered historic sacrifices, from the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji to modern martyrs like Captain Vikram Batra, Manoj Pandey, Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sanjay Kumar, among others.

Seth urged the youth to look beyond mobile screens and recognise the debt owed to these heroes. “Freedom is not a gift, but a sacred debt owed to every generation,” he said.

By 2047, India will be established not only as the world’s largest democracy, but also as the most trusted, modern, self-reliant and capable nation, the minister asserted.

The commemoration concluded with a pledge to keep honouring the legacy of Kargil’s heroes.