In Ladakh, as part of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, a massive Padyatra was held in Drass this morning to honour the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War. Over one thousand youth, war veterans, armed forces personnel, families of martyrs, and members of civil society participated in the patriotic tribute walk.

The Padyatra was led by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth. The tribute walk covering a distance of 1.5 kilometres, began from the grounds of Himabass Public High School in Drass and concluded at Government Higher Secondary School in Bhimbet.

Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations will begin at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass this morning with the arrival of military and civilian dignitaries followed by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to honour the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. The programme will feature a special narration titled “Gaurav Gatha”, a video presentation on outreach initiatives, and visits to the Hut of Remembrance, Veer Bhoomi, and Indus View Point. A QR code-based E-Shradhanjali app is also being inaugurated on the occasion.

Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is the Chief Guest at today’s ceremony. He will be joined by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth to pay homage at the memorial. Later in the day, the Chief of Army Staff is scheduled to interact with soldiers at the site. Kargil Vijay Diwas stands as a powerful symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and indomitable spirit of the Indian Armed Forces and is being marked with patriotic zeal across the country.