On the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, numerous prominent figures from the Indian film industry and sports fraternity came together to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who fought amid extremely harsh conditions to defend the nation’s territory during the 1999 Kargil War. This monumental day marks a quarter-century since the courageous acts of the Indian soldiers reclaimed the peaks that had been intruded upon, ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Akshay Kumar, the acclaimed Bollywood actor, took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his heartfelt respects and admiration for the bravery and sacrifices made by the soldiers. “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, salute to the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers. Stories of their valor will be repeated year after year,” Kumar wrote, adding a Hindi tribute: “कारगिल विजय दिवस के इस मौके पर, हमारे सैनिकों की हिम्मत और बलिदान को सलाम। उनकी वीरता की कहानियाँ साल दर साल दोहराई जाएंगी। जय हिंद! 🇮🇳 #KargilVijayDiwas”.
Following Akshay Kumar’s tribute, veteran actor Anupam Kher also honored the heroes of Kargil by posting, “Bharatiya Sena ki jai ho. #25YearsOfKargilVijay #IndianArmy@adgpi.” These words echo the deep sense of pride and gratitude felt by many Indians for the armed forces’ unwavering dedication and bravery.
Cricket legend and newly-appointed Indian coach Gautam Gambhir joined the voices of tribute by noting, “We owe our soldiers everything!” Gambhir encapsulated the national sentiment, acknowledging the sacrifices and undying spirit of the forces that ensure the nation’s safety and freedom.
Actor Suniel Shetty, known for his portrayal in the film “LOC: Kargil,” paid homage to the indomitable spirit and unmatched sacrifices of the soldiers. On social media, Shetty wrote, “Saluting the indomitable spirit of our heroes this #KargilVijayDiwas. Our freedom and safety today are the results of their unparalleled bravery and sacrifice.” He reminisced about his role in JP Dutta’s war drama ‘LOC: Kargil’, which serves as a cinematic tribute to the soldiers’ heroic acts. “Honoured to have been a part of the film LOC Kargil by the legendary J P Dutta that immortalizes their stories. Let’s honour their legacy by never forgetting their sacrifice. Jai Hind,” Shetty added, sharing a behind-the-scenes picture from the sets of ‘LOC,’ which was released in 2003.
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Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon also marked the day by lauding the courage of the Indian soldiers. She shared poignant images from her visit to the Kargil war heroes in 1999, bringing back memories of a significant time in Indian history. One of the pictures showcased a weapon inscribed with the words, “Raveena Tandon to Nawaz Sharif,” symbolizing a message of strength and resilience.
In parallel with the tributes from the entertainment industry, political leaders also paid their respects to the Kargil heroes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the soldiers by laying a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial earlier in the day. He also took a significant step in national infrastructure projects by initiating the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project virtually. “कारगिल में मां भारती के लिए मर-मिटने वाले वीर सपूतों के शौर्य और पराक्रम का साक्षी बना,” Modi stated, sharing a deeply emotional and patriotic message on social media.
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her homage to the soldiers, praising their unmatched courage and extraordinary valor. “Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion for a grateful nation to pay tribute to the indomitable courage and extraordinary valor of our armed forces. I pay tribute to each soldier who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Mother India on the peaks of Kargil in the year 1999 and bow in reverence to their sacred memory,” read her post. The President expressed confidence that the nation would continue to draw inspiration from these acts of bravery, urging countrymen to remember and honor the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers. “I am confident that all countrymen will draw inspiration from their sacrifice and valor. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!,” she added.
With heartfelt tributes pouring in from all corners, Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers 25 years ago and the enduring spirit of India’s bravehearts. As the nation moves forward, these tributes serve to keep alive the memories and legacy of the heroes who fought so valiantly to protect the nation.
