Leh, July 07: Asserting that the contribution of Ladakhi men and women during the Kargil War in 1999 in which they helped and fought shoulders to shoulders with the Army to defeat the enemy forces was unparalleled, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) called for keeping the Indian Army ‘young’.
Batting for the Agniveer Scheme, LG Mishra said the Army can defeat any enemy forces if youth are enrolled in the Indian Army.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at ‘Know Your Army’ Mela organised by 14 Corps at Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, MVC, Stadium in Leh.
GOC 14 Corps Lt General H Bhalla; Secretary, Tourism, Vikram Singh Malik, IAS; Army officials, ex-servicemen and school students were present during the event.
The Mela, which is being held as a part of 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, aims to motivate local youth and familiarise the local population with modern weapon technology, tactics and battle-worthiness of the Indian Army.
Terming the Mela a big occasion initiated by the Indian Army, the LG highlighted the contribution of Ladakhi men and women during the Kargil War in 1999 in which they helped and fought shoulders to shoulders with the Army to defeat the enemy forces and the day is commemorated every year in the form of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
He stated that the supreme sacrifices of martyrs, their courage and achievement are remembered every year and the entire country shows how much their sacrifice means for the nation on that day.
Highlighting the need to keep the Indian Army ‘young’, the LG stated that the Government of India introduced the Agniveer Scheme in this regard. He also stated that the Agniveers who have joined the Army are doing well.
He further stated that the Army can defeat any enemy forces if youth are enrolled in the Indian Army. He further stated that Agniveers, who are not retained in the Army after four years, will be laterally inducted into Police and other services.
The LG complimented GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Bhalla for organising the event.
The LG inspected the weapon and equipment display, medical and dental information camps, information desk for Army recruitment in the Agniveer scheme, ex-servicemen grievance cell, etc and also interacted with the jawans.
Band performance, army battle drills such as rescue operations and explosives detection by canine squad, and helicopter fly past were displayed in the event.
