Kargil, July 03: In a grand event leading up to the Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti celebrations, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (P) Stadium was inaugurated along with a Sports Carnival at Garkone Village in the Biamah Sector by the ‘Forever in Operations’ Division on July 2nd and 3rd, 2024. The multipurpose stadium, constructed to honor the selfless sacrifice and relentless spirit of the Indian Army personnel and community members of the Aryan Valley, includes a basketball court, futsal court, volleyball court, cricket pitch, spectator stands, and changing rooms.
The maiden Sports Carnival, which began in the second week of June 2024, saw overwhelming participation with over 35 teams each in men’s futsal, men’s volleyball, and women’s volleyball from the Aryan Valley. The finals of these events were held on July 2nd and 3rd, 2024, with the top teams and players being felicitated for their performances.
Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, SC, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps, and Shri Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, graced the occasion as Chief Guests on July 3rd, 2024. Mr. Manmohan Pandey, brother of the late Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (P), attended as the Guest of Honor for the inauguration of the stadium, aptly named after his brave brother who laid down his life for the nation in the Khalubar area during the Kargil War of 1999. The stadium’s inauguration took place on the very day Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (P), sacrificed his life defending the country.
The newly inaugurated stadium has been handed over to the District Sports Authority for further administration and enhancements. The establishment of this stadium, a long-standing demand of the Aryan Valley community, has instilled confidence and inspiration among the youth. By dedicating the stadium, the Indian Army has reaffirmed the spirit of patriotism and mutual respect among community members and promoted the essence of ‘Fit India’ in the Aryan Valley.
The event not only commemorated the valor of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey but also showcased the unity and collective spirit of the Aryan Valley community, celebrating sportsmanship and the enduring legacy of those who serve the nation.
Meanwhile, a 15-member army team has set out to establish a world record by being the highest cycling expedition at an average altitude of 15,000 feet to mark completion of 25 years of Indian Army’s victory over Pakistan in 1999 Kargil war, a defence spokesperson said.
The ‘Rajat Jyanti’ of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations are scheduled to be conducted at Drass in Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh from July 24 to 26.
To commemorate the Rajat Jayanti and pay tribute to the heroes of Kargil war, Army is conducting the world’s highest cycling expedition, aptly named as ‘Ice and steel cycling expedition’ which will cover a distance of about 753 kilometres and also cross the world’s highest motorable pass at 19,024 feet in Ladakh.
“This expedition attempts to establish a world record by being the highest cycling expedition at an average altitude of approx 15,000 feet. The expedition intends to spread the message of grit, sacrifice and the ethos of ‘nation first’, which is the hallmark of the Indian Army,” the defence spokesperson said.
He said the expedition was flagged off on Monday by Brigadier Vishal Ranjan, Commander 33 Mountain Brigade from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in eastern Ladakh and over the next 15 days, the team will cycle through the challenging and unforgiving terrain of Ladakh to conquer some of the world’s toughest mountain passes.
The team will also brave a few of the coldest places in Ladakh and champion Army’s values of selfless service, devotion to duty, sacrifice and courage, the spokesman said.
Prior to flag-off, the expedition team paid homage at the DBO war memorial, honouring the memory of the brave soldiers of the 1962 Sino-India war.
The cyclists will also pay homage at Galwan and Rezang La war memorials and carry out interaction with locals and school children in several villages enroute, the spokesman said.
