The country is celebrating the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Kargil War Memorial and paid tribute to the martyrs in Dras. He remembered the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the India-Pakistan war in 1999. PM Modi said in his address that in Kargil we not only won the war but also gave a wonderful demonstration of truth, restraint and strength. He said that India was trying for peace but Pakistan had shown its distrustful face. Whatever efforts Pakistan made in the past, it had to face defeat but Pakistan has not learned anything from its history.
In his address, PM Modi said, ‘Today this great land of Ladakh is witnessing the completion of 25 years of Kargil victory. Kargil Vijay Diwas tells us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal. Days, months, years, centuries pass, seasons also change but the names of those who risked their lives to protect the nation remain indelible. This country is forever indebted to the mighty great heroes of our army and is grateful to them.
‘I salute the martyrs’
He said, ‘I am fortunate that during the Kargil war, I was among my soldiers as a common countryman. Today when I am again on the land of Kargil, it is natural that those memories have become fresh in my mind. I remember how our forces carried out such difficult combat operations at such high altitudes. I respectfully salute all such brave men who brought victory to the country. I salute those martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the motherland in Kargil.
‘Masters of terror, listen to my voice’
PM said, ‘We did not just win the war in Kargil. We had given a wonderful demonstration of truth, restraint and power. You know, India was trying for peace at that time, in return Pakistan once again showed its distrustful face. But untruth and terror were defeated in front of truth. Whatever efforts Pakistan made in the past, it had to face defeat but Pakistan has not learned anything from its history. It is trying to keep itself relevant with the help of terrorism and proxy war, but today when I am speaking from a place from where the masters of terrorism can hear my voice directly, I am speaking to these patrons of terrorism. I want to say that their nefarious plans will never succeed. Our brave men will crush terrorism with full force. A befitting reply will be given to the enemy. Be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir, India will defeat every challenge facing its development.
‘Heaven on Earth is rapidly moving towards peace’
He said, ‘After a few days, on August 5, it is going to be five years since the end of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir today is talking about a new future, talking about big dreams. Jammu and Kashmir is being recognized for hosting important meetings like G20. Along with infrastructure development, tourism sector is also growing rapidly in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Ladakh. Cinema halls have opened in Kashmir after decades. For the first time after three and a half decades, Tajiya has come out in Srinagar. Our heaven on earth is rapidly moving towards peace and harmony. Today a new stream of development has been created in Ladakh also. The construction work of Shinkula Tunnel has started. With this, Ladakh will remain connected to the country in every season. This tunnel will open a new path of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh. We all know how much difficulties the people of Ladakh face due to the harsh weather. These problems will be reduced with the construction of Shinkula Tunnel.