- The torch was illuminated at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on 14th July, 2019
- JGU is the first stop for the torch relay team enroute to the Dras War Memorial
Sonipat, 15th July, 2019: O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) today extended a warm reception to the ‘Victory Flame’ bound for the Kargil War Memorial to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The torch relay baton team of the Indian Army along with a team of JGU runners brought it to the varsity. JGU has been chosen as the first point of halt for the Victory Flame.
The sense of nation building is deeply seated in every aspect of the Jindal Group. National pride and commitment towards bettering societies is the hallmark that JGU Chancellor Mr Naveen Jindal believes in. The bravery, sacrifice and commitment of our soldiers has been a source of inspiration for him. The love for the country and its martyrs inspired him towards a decade long struggle towards giving every citizen the right to fly the Indian tricolour – every day, not just on special occasions. To popularize the display of the Tiranga by more and more Indians, with a great sense of pride, he established the Flag Foundation of India, a non-profit body that has by now installed 74 monumental flagpoles across the country including a 207 feet monumental flagpole in the heart of the capital city, New Delhi.
The Chief Guest for the event, Prof. Dr. Sanjeev P. Sahni, Principal Director Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) and advisor to the Vice Chancellor, JGU said, “We are extremely happy and privileged to host the Victory Flame of the Indian Army at the OP Jindal Global University. In fact, our university has been long associated with the Indian Army through initiative programs like “Partnering for Nation Building”- which collaborated with the Indian Army for special benefits. We have also conducted various training programs for officers in the Indian Army in the past which included unique programs on Mandarin language and leadership strategies. I firmly believe our National flag is more than just piece of cloth, it is a universally recognized symbol that stands for Strength, Liberty and Development. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the sacrifices of those defending it. Salute to our Tiranga.”
Welcoming the delegation to the campus Lt. Gen Dr. Rajesh Kochhar (retd), Senior Director, Jindal Institute of Leadership Development and Executive Education (JILDEE) said “Operation VIJAY was launched by the Indian Army in May 1999 to evict the Pakistan army regulars who had intruded into our side of the Line of Control in the Kargil Sector. The fighting ceased on 26 July 1999, after the intruders had been cleared off from own side of the Line of Control. The day since then is celebrated every year as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate the saga of valour and sacrifices of the martyrs during this operation. We, at JGU, are very proud to host this event today to mark the 20th anniversary of the successful culmination of ‘Operation Vijay’ wherein brave soldiers of the Indian Army overcame seemingly insurmountable odds, hostile terrain, weather, and a determined enemy occupying dominating heights to win the Kargil war. As a University we firmly believe in ‘Institution Building for Nation Building”.
Major Vikram Balraj Singh in his key note address paid his solemn tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Kargil war of 1999. After 60 days of incessant war, our brave soldiers had regained control of Kargil. He further elaborated that the gallantry and sacrifice of the martyrs must inspire each of us and motivate us to safeguard India’s Independence which was achieved after much struggle.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor (Dr.) YSR Murthy, Registrar, JGU said, “Today, as India celebrates the victorious 20th year of the Kargil War, it is a virtuous moment for JGU to welcome and pay homage to the gallantry of those soldiers.” He further added, “Pride, Honour and Inspiration are the three pillars on which we mark today’s commemoration, together as a nation. The fraternity of JGU extends a warm welcome and pays deep obeisance.”
The event also saw the felicitation of army personnel, war veterans and ‘veer naris’ following which a cultural programme was presented by school students.
The Flame will traverse through 11 towns and cities before reaching the Dras War Memorial in Jammu and Kashmir where the Indian Army and the families of the martyrs will pay their tribute on the occasion. During the journey, the relay baton team will meet academics and students of educational institutions. The high outposts in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir had been infiltrated by Pakistani troops and militants. 527 Indian soldiers were martyred during Kargil War code named ‘Operation Vijay’. The Indian Army had successfully regained command of Indian territories on July 26, 1999.
