Kargil Vijay Diwas 2022: India pays tributes to gallant Kargil war heroes, martyred soldiers

The National Education Policy-2020 seeks to restructure higher educational institutions of the country towards the changing needs of the knowledge economy, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday, asserting that it will prove to be a game-changer.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday pulled up the NHAI officials here for not visiting project sites, which is responsible for the delay and poor quality of work. The road transport and highways minister said that on Monday, he held a meeting with NHAI and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) officials on issues related to road projects in Assam.

Amid the growing opposition demands for the removal of arrested West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee from the cabinet, his official car, used by him for over 15 years, was on Tuesday surrendered in the state Assembly, officials said.

Bangladesh has formally requested for a USD 4.5 billion loan from the Washington-based multilateral lender IMF to combat the ongoing financial crisis in the country, according to a media report. The country on Sunday asked for the loan from the International Monetary Fund in view of rapidly declining foreign exchange (Forex) reserves, Dhaka Tribune reported.

India's largest ever auction of spectrum used to carry mobile signals saw bids of Rs 1.45 lakh crore for 5G airwaves from groups run by tycoons Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Gautam Adani on the first day on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed the pleas against the levy of service tax on services rendered by Haj group organizers (HGOs) or private tour operators (PTOs) to Haj pilgrims, saying the service is provided or agreed to be provided to the recipients who are in the "taxable territory" of India. The apex court observed that issues concerning the grant of exemptions in tax matters are a matter of policy.

Russia's foreign minister said his country supports reforming the UN Security Council to give a more powerful role to developing nations, including African countries. Sergey Lavrov spoke Tuesday in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, after meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to transfer money directly to bank accounts of the parents of students studying in classes one to eight for buying uniforms and other items for academic session 2022-23. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.

Six persons died on Wednesday morning at Ghusuri in Howrah district of West Bengal after consuming spurious liquor at an illegal hooch-joint.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday promised that his government would provide full aid to the people who suffered damage due to the massive flood in river Godavari this month.

A 65-year-old farmer was killed in a clash between two groups over a water pipe in Narainpur village here, police said on Tuesday. On Monday, two groups clashed with sticks and rods after an SUV ran over a water pipe.

Sikkim reported 134 coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours taking the COVID-19 caseload in the state to 41390, according to a health department bulletin on Tuesday.

With unclaimed deposits in banks rising steeply, the Reserve Bank has launched a national campaign with a focus on the eight states that have the maximum amount of such money.  The unclaimed deposits in banks have sharply jumped to Rs 48,262 crore in FY22 from Rs 39,264 crore in the preceding fiscal, according to the annual report of the central bank.

No death has been reported due to engaging in manual scavenging but 188 people have died while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks since 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Amarnath Yatra has been suspended between Panchtarni and the cave due to inclement weather here, officials said on Tuesday. Heavy rainfall occurred in the mountains around the holy cave shrine this afternoon due to which water level in a nearby stream also rose, they said.

 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday grilled West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, arrested in connection with the school jobs scam, sources said.

The Indian Army on Tuesday commemorated soldiers who perished in the three-month-long 1999 Kargil war on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
Soliders were remembered for their courage during the war waged along the Line of Control in Kargil area of Ladakh Union Territory. 

“Kargil War is testimony to the unparalleled saga of raw grit, stoic courage and unmatched resolve of the Indian soldier, fighting in adverse weather conditions in one of the most treacherous terrain,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement issued by the Army.

Global stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors braced for another sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. London and Shanghai advanced while Tokyo and Frankfurt declined. Oil rose nearly USD 2 per barrel. Wall Street futures were lower after the benchmark S&P 500 index gained 0.1% on Monday.

A 16-year-old girl hanged herself to death after she was allegedly molested by a youth here, police said on Tuesday. Both the victim and the accused belong to the Dalit community and hailed from the same village, they said.

A 43-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly molesting a woman on the premises of a school in Maharashtra's Thane city, police said on Tuesday. An offence has been registered under section 354 (assault or uses criminal force to any woman) of the IPC against Fiaz Lalmia Sayyed, a resident of Rabodi, an official said.

Akasa Air on Tuesday said it will start operating flights on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route from August 19. The new carrier will launch commercial flight operations on August 7 by running its first service on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. On August 13, the airline will start operations on the Bengaluru-Kochi route.

The Indian Army on Tuesday commemorated 23 years of its victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, officials said.

Events to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ were held at Northern Command in Udhampur, Tiger division in Jammu, and other formations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Doda.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at War Memorial, Northern Command headquarters. The day saw top Army officers, joined by the JCOs and soldiers, paying rich tributes to those martyred in the war, a defence spokesperson said.

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday paid tributes to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil war, with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu saying their valour will continue to inspire generations.

When the House met for the day, Chairman Naidu said this July 26 marked the 23rd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas – the day in 1999 when Indian soldiers threw out enemy forces occupying peaks of Kargil.

This resulted "in a momentous victory for our country", he said.

"The exemplary courage, selfless dedication, and unflinching determination displayed by our soldiers in adverse conditions will always be remembered.
"Their unparalleled valour and gallantry will continue to inspire generations after generations to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation," Naidu said.

The MPs observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the brave soldiers. 

• The entire nation is bowing down to the valour and victory of the Indian Army. Through Kargil Vijay Diwas we remember their sacrifices with a sense of gratitude
• I assure the countrymen that every jawan of the Indian Army is dedicated to the security of the nation and always ready to face any challenge and make any sacrifice

The Indian Army has geared up for the 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas. On Tuesday, the Army personnel will commemorate the sacrifices and valour of the soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakh's Drass. Serving and retired army personnel, Kargil War veterans and next of kin of fallen heroes are expected to take part in the event.

The Kargil War was fought between May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999, against Pakistan intruders, who in the winters of 1998 transgressed into the Indian territory across the Line of Control and occupied fortified defences overlooking the NH 1A in Kargil's Drass and Batalik Sectors of Ladakh region with a nefarious aim of dominating all military and civil movement on the highway.

Braving unprecedented hardships, overcoming the hazards of near impossible terrain and severe climatic conditions, brave gallant soldiers launched valiant attacks on well-fortified defended localities with relentless valour and enthusiasm, thus attaining an astounding victory.

Despite suffering heavy casualties, the soldiers repeatedly launched daring attacks under withering artillery and small arms fire. 

Heroic deeds, astounding bravery and unflinching determination of our soldiers forced the enemy forces to withdraw and vacate defence emplacements during the 55-day war.

Each year, Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26. 

Vijay Diwas will be held from July 24 to 26 at the Kargil War Memorial.