Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)

Mangalore, Jul 26: The district Ex-servicemen’s Association gathered at the war memorial built in memory of martyrs at Kadri here on Saturday July 26, to commemorate the 15th anniversary or Vijay Diwas of Kargil war fought in the year 1999 against Pakistan.

Noted social activists, people from various organizations and the general public assembled before the war memorial, and lighting candles, paid reverence to the martyrs.

Brigadier T N Rai, who served in the rank of commanding officer at Kargil west expressed that there has been a lack of awareness and enthusiasm to join the defence forces, though interest is picking up these days. "The dream to establish a Sainik Bhavan at Tagore Park has been delayed due to financial crunch and various other reasons," he lamented.

While many children and women also participated in the commemoration of the victory, ex-servivemen from the district were seen proudly posing to the cameras and saluting.

The construction of the Sainik Bhavan currently under way is in need of funds. According to Col N Sharath Bhandary, president of district Ex-servicemen Association, they have managed to collect Rs 35 lac so far. Out of the Rs 1.5 crore earmarked for the Bhavan, Rs 9 lac has been received from the MLA fund and the remaining Rs 26 lac from the public. The association is mulling to inaugurate the building on December 16 this year.

The association issued pamphlets to the public, appealing for donations for the completion of the work. Bhandary said, "We met the erstwhile union petroleum minister Veerappa Moily urging him to direct MRPL to extend financial assistance under CSR (corporate social responsibility). The letter is with MRPL and till date there is no response from the company."

After paying homage to martyrs, the gathering moved to the makeshift open theater to listen to the experiences of the ex-servicemen. Documentaries on ex-servicemen and Kargil war were shown to the public.