PANAJI: The 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed at the Martyrs’ Memorial, Azad Maidan, Panaji, on Sunday, with tributes paid to soldiers who lost their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. The programme, organised by the Ex-NCC Cadets Association-Goa in association with 1 Goa Battalion NCC Goa and Goa Human Resource Development Corporation, witnessed a wreath-laying ceremony and a two-minute silence in honour of the martyrs.
Civil Supplies Secretary Sanjeev Gadkar urged youth to draw inspiration from the courage, discipline and selfless service of the Armed Forces, while veterans Capt Utpal Dutta and Col Balkrishna Shirodkar recalled the bravery of soldiers during Operation Vijay. Singer Hema Sardesai and John Aguiar renewed the demand for a permanent war memorial in Goa, with Aguiar suggesting that the old structure opposite Kala Academy could be converted into a dedicated memorial.
