Dharmendra Pradhan lauds JNU for organising event for Kargil martyrs

New Delhi [India],July 23 (ANI): Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday lauded the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) authorities for organising an event for Kargil martyrs, while saying that it was a proud day for every citizen of the country. On the occasion of 18th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the JNU organised a programme to commemorate India's glorious victory and to pay homage to the Indian Army and the Kargil martyrs. Addressing the gathering, Pradhan said, "The JNU has set an example in the country for its respect for the Indian Army. I congratulate the JNU VC for organising this kind of historic event. It is a proud day for every citizen of the country." Besides Pradhan, General (Retired) V.K. Singh, and the Mentor of Veterans India, Major General G.D. Bakshi, and cricketer Gautam Gambhir also took part in Tiranga March. The programme was jointly organised with the Veterans India. The Tiranga March started from JNU's main gate and went on till the Convention Centre where more than two thousand members of the JNU community carried the 2,200-feet long Tricolour for nearly two kilometres upto the Convention Centre. Alongside the Veterans India members, 23 families of martyrs also joined the event. Welcoming the guests and the huge gathering R.P. Singh, Rector III of JNU, said it was a proud moment for the JNU to have had the privilege of paying its heartfelt tributes to the Indian Army and its martyrs of Kargil. The Vice Chancellor, M. Jagadesh Kumar, praised the valour of the Indian soldiers in the Kargil War, and expressed his profound gratitude to the Indian Army and expressed his satisfaction that the JNU was able to pay homage to our martyrs. The VC also requested the union ministers to "help arrange for an old Army tank so that the JNU can display it in a prominent place on the campus." Former Indian Army Chief and now MoS, External Affairs, General (Retired) V.K. Singh shared his experiences in the wonderful tradition of the Indian Army and underlined the importance of the Kargil victory for India and our Armed forces and emphasised that "the Indian Army believes only in protecting the sanctity of Indian Independence and sovereignty." Major General G.D. Bakshi spoke about how Indian soldiers guard our nation's treacherous borders with Pakistan in a completely inhospitable weather conditions of Kashmir heights. Supreme Court Advocate Monika Arora and cricketer Gautam Gambhir underlined the importance of Indian nationalism for the Indian youth. Gambhir said, "We should feel proud to respect our national flag, and our country and the Army which provides us the freedom we enjoy." The programme concluded with an acknowledgement of the moral bravery and steadfastness of the families of the Kargil bravehearts. (ANI)