Kargil Vijay Diwas is a powerful reminder of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, but for actress Celina Jaitley, it holds deep personal significance. Most men in her family served in the military during that time, and their involvement turned national history into a personal memory of courage, fear, and loss.
On this solemn occasion, Celina paid tribute to her late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitley, and her grandfather, Colonel E. Francis, both of whom played vital roles during times of war. She was just a teenager during the conflict, but the memories of her father’s military service and the emotional impact it left on their family are still vivid.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Celina reflected on her father’s role during the Kargil War. Though he wasn’t deployed at the frontlines, he was part of the strategic operations from base control. She said, “A 1971 war veteran and an infantryman from the Kumaon Regiment, during the Kargil War, although not deployed at the front, I believe he was involved from base control, playing a role in coordination, communication, and logistics.”
She added that even though she was young, she clearly remembers the emotional burden her father carried. “As a daughter, I carry his legacy in pieces, but each one carries immense weight. I saw the weight he carried each day, and throughout his life as an infantryman,” she shared.
Celina recalled the trauma that military families endured during the war. “What I remember most vividly are the blank stares of parents at their sons’ funerals, the gut-wrenching sobs of young wives/children who had just lost their husbands,” she said. Each phone call or radio message carried anxiety, and every update felt like a personal loss. “It wasn’t just news, it was pain that hung thick in the air, something we witnessed up close with immense heartache,” she added.
Her brother, who was still a student during the Kargil War, was deeply affected by the experience. Inspired by their father's legacy, he later joined the Indian Army as a Para Special Forces officer. Celina believes that this deep sense of patriotism and responsibility was rooted in their upbringing.
Celina also spoke about her grandfather, Colonel E. Francis, who served with the Rajputana Rifles during the 1962 war with China. He was injured in battle but remained strong. Her great-grandfather had served in the Army Education Corps during World War I. With such a rich military legacy, Celina said the Kargil War was more than a national event—it was personal.
The Kargil War, fought between India and Pakistan in the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, lasted for nearly two months. It was a difficult and deadly conflict, but it ended with India reclaiming its territory and honoring the sacrifice of many brave soldiers.
Even 26 years later, the war’s impact still echoes in the hearts of families like Celina’s. As the nation observes Kargil Vijay Diwas, she stands as a proud daughter and granddaughter of heroes who served with honor and dignity.
