Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi addressed the nation through Mann Ki Baat today. (File)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Calling the day as a very special one, PM Modi said, "On this day, we defeated Pakistan, we will never be able to forget this day."
"The war happened at a time and in a situation that nobody can forget. India wanted good relations with pakistan, but that did not happen," he added.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army had announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay", declaring victory after the nearly three-month-long battles in the icy heights of Kargil. The country lost more than 500 soldiers in the war.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh also paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial.
Here are the Highlights on Kargil Vijay Diwas:
French Ambassador to India pays tributes to armed forces
French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain paid tributes to Indian Armed Forces and said that France always stands alongside India.
Putting a picture of Mirage 2000 fighter jet, Mr Lenain wrote: "On Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020, France pays tribute to the Indian armed forces: France always stands alongside India. Mirage 2000 in 1999 to Rafale in 2020: our partnership touches soaring heights."
Cricket fraternity pays tribute to soldiers on Kargil Vijay Diwas
Marking the 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas, the cricket fraternity paid tribute to the soldiers and saluted their "valour and courage".
"The countless stories of valour & selfless sacrifices of our Defence Forces during the Kargil War are awe-inspiring. We shall always remain indebted to their service to our nation," Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli took to Twitter and wrote, "Saluting the valour and courage of our brave hearts of the Indian Armed Forces who laid down their lives fighting for our Nation, all to keep all of us safe. Jai Hind."
"Big salute and remembering the brave hearts of our country on this special day for constantly put their body on the line for us," Rohit Sharma tweeted.
Pakistan Tried To "Backstab" India: PM During Tribute To Kargil HeroesPakistan tried to "backstab" India despite her attempts to keep friendly relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in his tribute to the armed forces on the 21st anniversary of Kargil war. In his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said "Pakistan undertook this misadventure with sinister plans to capture India's land and to divert its ongoing internal conflicts".
"Pakistan had the audacity of trying to occupy Indian soil and deviate attention from its own internal unrest," he said.
"At the time, India was trying for improve relations with Pakistan. But as it is said, evil's nature is to fight everyone without reason. People of this nature can only think of doing evil even to those who try to do them good. That's why Pakistan backstabbed India despite India's attempts at cordial relations," he said..
"You can imagine, the enemy was perched high on the mountains while our forces were fighting them from below. But the high morale and true of our forces won against mountains," he added.
Read India Will Remain Indebted To Armed Forces Forever: JP Nadda On Kargil Vijay Diwas
Indian forces combined inspiration and strategy with valour to vanquish Pakistan during the Kargil war despite facing adverse circumstances, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.
He said India will forever remember the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers to secure the country's borders. Speaking at an event on the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, JP Nadda also said that BJP is commited to the welfare of armed forces, saying the defence sector has always received Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special focus.
Karnataka Government Committed To Working For Soldiers' Welfare: Chie Minister
Paying tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war on its 21st anniversary, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said his government always stood by the soldiers and families of those who laid down their lives to protect the borders of the country.
"The government is always committed to the welfare of the soldiers. Karnataka has formed a separate department for the welfare of the soldiers and their families. We always stand with the families of the martyred soldiers," he said.
Trivendra Singh Rawat Pays Tributes To Kargil War Heroes
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday paid tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives while fighting against Pakistan during Kargil war. Chief Minister Rawat paid respect to fallen soldiers at the Shaheed memorial in Gandhi Park on the occasion of ''Kargil Vijay Diwas''.
"The world realized the power of the Indian soldiers when they drove the intruders across the border. Our soldiers showed the valor in the Kargil war under adverse conditions. The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the brave soldiers to protect the country's borders in the Kargil war," Mr Rawat said.
Country Forever Grateful To Soldiers Who Laid Down Their Lives In Kargil: President
The country is forever grateful to soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil war to defend ''Bharat Mata'', President Ram Nath Kovind said on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter to pay tributes to the slain soldiers on the 21st anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the war, he said ''Kargil Vijay Diwas'' is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces.
India Proud Of Heroes Dedicated To Protecting Country: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the country is proud of the heroes who are dedicated to protecting it and who drove away the enemy from the arduous hills of Kargil.
On the 21st anniversary of the country's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, Mr Shah said the "Kargil Vijay Diwas" is a symbol of India's self-respect, amazing valour and steadfast leadership.
"I bow to the bravehearts, who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the difficult hills of Kargil and waved the tricolour there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India who are dedicated to protecting the motherland," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
In today's time, war is not only fought at the borders. There are many wars we fight within the nation. We have to be together in the fight against these battles.
PM Modi asks people to do and say things keeping in mind welfare of soldiers on borders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his Mann ki Baat, on the ocassion of Kargil Diwas. He says "the the day is very special, as the war happened at a time and in a situation that nobody can forget. India wanted good relations with Pakistan, but that did not happen."
Kargil Vijay Diwas Symbol Of Exceptional Valour: President
On the 21st anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country.
President said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our Armed Forces.
"Kargil Vijay Diwas is symbol of fearless determination & exceptional valour of our Armed Forces. I salute the soldiers who fought the enemy and laid down their life to defend Bharat Mata. The nation is forever grateful to them and their families," President Kovind tweeted.
Rajnath Singh pays homeage to Jawans, tweets pictures"Paid tributes to fallen soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who exhibited exemplary valour and made supreme sacrifice during Kargil War," the defence minister tweeted along with pictures.
PM Narendra Modi pays tributes to jawans on Kargil Vijay DiwasPrime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted his tributes for armymen on the ocassion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
"On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and determination of our armed forces, who steadfastly protected our nation in 1999. Their valour continues to inspire generations. Will speak more about this during today's #MannKiBaat, which begins shortly," PM Modi tweeted.