Dras (Ladakh), July 29: The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans built for sheltering the soldiers engaged in the protection of Kargil War Memorial in Dras, which tells the story of indomitable bravery of the soldiers, was dedicated to the jawans in presence of hundreds of soldiers on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday.
The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been built with the contribution by Lokmat Foundation and funds collected from members of the public.
The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda dedicated the environmental-friendly facility to jawans in the presence of Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, Major General Nagendra Singh and the editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media and former minister Rajendra Darda. A total of 559 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for the motherland during the Kargil war of 1999. The Kargil War Memorial, which tells the story of their bravery, has been built at Dras. Every year, soldiers pay homage to these heroes and express gratitude towards them.
After the Kargil war, Lokmat Foundation undertook various social initiatives through its contribution and funds collected from the members of public. The initiatives, so undertaken, included the Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans dedicated to jawans on Tuesday.
This Kargil War Memorial Home has been constructed for the soldiers deployed to protect the Kargil War Memorial. Dras experiences minus 42 degree Celsius temperature during winter. During this time, soldiers have to face extremely difficult situations.
To overcome this problem, an environment-friendly Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been built. The temperature in this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will be more than 15 degree Celsius. Therefore, water in this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will not freeze even at sub-zero temperatures.
Commanding Officer B S Bora, under whose guidance the work was completed, gave information about the special features of this facility. Brigadier B S Multani, Brigadier U S Anand and Colonel Kamaldeep Singh were prominent among those present on this occasion.
‘LOKMAT STANDS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY’
On this occasion, the editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Rajendra Darda said after the Kargil war, Lokmat Media Group built hostels at five places in Maharashtra for the children of soldiers in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Solapur, Latur and Nanded. He informed that these social activities are being undertaken with the help of Lokmat Foundation and lakhs of readers of Lokmat.
LT. GEN. SENGUPTA APPRECIATES LOKMAT MEDIA GROUP
Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta appreciated the initiative of Lokmat Media Group for its contribution through Lokmat Foundation towards the development of Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans. He said the Lokmat Media Group’s initiative will inspire others. “I am grateful to Lokmat Media Group for expressing its gratitude towards the soldiers through action,” he said. Earlier, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta felicitated Vijay Darda. Copies of the book ‘Public Issues Before Parliament’ written by Vijay Darda were presented to Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta and Colonel Kamaldeep Singh. Sweets were distributed among the jawans on this occasion.
VIJAY DARDA, RAJENDRA DARDA PAY TRIBUTES
On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, several former officers of the Army were present in the morning to pay their respect at Kargil War Memorial in Dras. The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda and editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Rajendra Darda were accorded the honour of paying their respects first. They paid floral tributes to the brave soldiers at War Memorial.
On this occasion, Vijay Darda and Rajendra Darda wrote their feelings in the visitors’ book. Vijay Darda wrote, “Here in Kargil, I can feel the heroic saga of the indomitable courage and valour of the Indian Army. I am proud of our defence forces. My dear brothers, we are living in peace because of your constant vigil and alertness.
“My humble tributes to all those brave sons who made supreme sacrifice to hold our tricolour aloft. Beyond the narrow confines of caste, creed, religion, rich and poor, true India resides in our Army. On behalf of Lokmat Media Group, I assure you that we all stand with you in every moment of life. I am proud to be associated with Kargil.
“We built boys and girls hostels in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Solapur and Latur for the children of the soldiers from Maharashtra who were martyred in the Kargil war, so that they can get a better education.
“We had collected money for the families of the martyrs. We went to the villages of the martyrs, opened separate bank accounts for their families and children and deposited the amount. Today I am satisfied that special houses have been constructed to protect the jawans in minus 42 degree Celsius temperature. I have come to dedicate these houses to you all. You stay safe, stay healthy. A big salute to all of you from the Lokmat Media Group. I salute your dedication, devotion and spirit. Jai Hind!”
Vijay Darda also informed how Lokmat Media Group raised funds to help the families of the martyrs. These amounts of money were also deposited in the bank accounts of the martyrs’ family members by going to their villages.
DESIGNED BY SONAM WANGCHUK
The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been designed by renowned educationist and founder of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) Sonam Wangchuk. The facility has been built using environment-friendly and commonly used materials.
For this, the crop straw thrown away by the farmers from Punjab and the soil of Ladakh has been mainly used, said the chief operating officer of HIAL Tanmay Mukherjee. Bricks are made by mixing crop straw and Ladakh soil. These bricks act as insulators. The special feature of this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans is that the temperature in Dras dips to minus 42 degree Celsius in winter. Also, five to six feet deep snow gets accumulated on the road. During the winter, it is essential to maintain normal room temperature. The temperature in this eco-friendly Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will be 15 degree Celsius. Therefore, the water kept in the room will not freeze even in the sub-zero temperatures.
Chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda inaugurating the Kargil War Memorial Home for jawans along with editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media and former minister Rajendra Darda in the presence of (from left) Brig U.S. Anand, Brig B.S. Multani, Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Major General Nagendra Singh.
A total of 559 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for the motherland during the Kargil war of 1999. The Kargil War Memorial, which tells the story of their bravery, has been built at Dras. Every year, soldiers pay homage to these heroes and express gratitude towards them.