Indian Army personnel presenting a memento to Col Virender Thapar (R) and his wife, parents of Kargil hero Capt Vijayant Thapar, in Noida. (Photo: Indian Army)
New Delhi: The Indian Army has initiated a first-of-its-kind outreach programme to honour the families of brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil conflict. On the programme’s inaugural day, on Tuesday, Army representatives visited 65 such families.
Under this comprehensive initiative, Army personnel will visit the homes of all 545 servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan, which demonstrated their extraordinary valour and unwavering commitment to the nation’s sovereignty.
The outreach programme commenced with a ceremonial visit to the parents of Captain Vijayant Thapar in Noida, which set the tone for this nationwide tribute to India’s fallen heroes.
Army representatives also paid their respects to several other families, including the wife of Havildar Basti Ram from Jaipur, the parents of Lance Naik Gurmel Singh from Kurukshetra, the wife of Rifleman Anusuya Prasad from Delhi, the wife of Naik Anand Singh from Rajasthan, the next of kin of Subedar Krishnat Ghadge, and the family of Havildar Hari Om from Dehradun.
The ambitious programme will see Army teams traverse 25 states, two union territories, and Nepal, carrying letters of gratitude from the Indian Army alongside commemorative mementos. The representatives will also provide detailed information about benefits authorized by various central and state government agencies while identifying any challenges faced by the bereaved families.
“Through these home visits, the Army is reminding India’s citizens of the unparalleled courage and valour displayed by these sons of the soil in service of Mother India,” stated Army public relations officer Colonel Nishant Arvind.
As a gesture of profound respect and enduring gratitude, Indian Army officers and soldiers visited Captain Vijayant Thapar’s residence in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where they honoured his father, Colonel Virender Thapar (retired), and mother with a commemorative memento.
This commemoration series will culminate on July 26, 2025, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas – a date forever etched in India’s collective memory with pride and solemn remembrance. This significant day marks the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay in 1999, when Indian forces reclaimed strategic heights from Pakistani intruders.
The Kargil conflict stands as a testament to India’s coordinated political, military, and diplomatic response. The confrontation is remembered not only for its strategic and tactical complexities but also for India’s self-imposed restraint in limiting the conflict to the Kargil-Siachen sectors and the swift execution of a triservice’s military strategy.
“This two-month commemoration will not only honour our fallen heroes but also inspire present and future generations to uphold the sacred values of service and sacrifice,” officials emphasized.
The initiative represents one of the most extensive efforts by the Indian Army to personally connect with and honour the families of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation’s security and territorial integrity.
