India celebrates the 20th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Friday, remembering the sacrifices made the Indian Army during the 1999 Kargil War to push Pakistan's infiltration into Indian territory. In the lead up to the victory celebrations on D-Day themed 'Remember, Rejoice and Renew', here are the various tributes dedicated to the martyrs by the Indian Army, this year.

Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition

April 16, 2019 - The 11-member ‘Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition’ which was flagged off from Karu (Leh) on 07 April 2019 traversed the challenging terrain of Eastern Ladakh, across the Chang La pass and reached the mighty ‘Karakoram Pass’ situated at an altitude of 18,176 feet on the Karakoram Ranges on this day. The team comprised six Indian Army personnel, four from the Royal Enfield team and one member of the Himalayan Motorsports Association.

Missing Man formation

May 28, 2019 - Led by Air Chief Marshal (ACM) BS Dhanoa, the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters flew in a missing man formation from Sarsawa base to pay homage to IAF jawans who lost their lives when an Indian Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by Pakistan during the Kargil war. 14 Corps Commander Lieutenant General YK Joshi will also be part of the team.

Recreating war scenes

June 24, 2019 - The Gwalior airbase was virtually turned into a conflict theatre, with a dramatic reenactment of some of the milestones of the operation in 1999  especially, the Tiger Hill attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Drass-Kargil area using Mirage 2000 aircraft and explosives to blow up a 'model hill'.

Original tribute song

July 5, 2019 - A special video featuring an original tribute song celebrating the valour and sacrifices of soldiers and officers who took part in the Kargil war was launched in Delhi by COAS Gen Bipin Rawat to commemorate 20 years of India's victory. The song titled 'Tujhe Bhulega Na Tera Hindustan' which has been penned by well-known Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjaan and sung by Shatadru Kabir, features Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Olympic medallist boxer Mary Kom, actors Salman Khan, Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Suniel Shetty, and Vicky Kaushal of 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' fame.

Tololong Trekking Expedition

July 6, 2019 - A trekking expedition to the Tololing Top in the Drass Sector  was undertaken by  2 Rajputana Rifles regiment. This expedition was done during the ongoing celebrations to evoke the spirit of patriotism and pay homage to the gallant soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil War.
Vishal Batra's tribute

Twin Tribute

July 7, 2019 - Late Captain Vikram Batra’s twin brother Vishal Batra paid homage to the brave martyr atop a 16,000-foot-high Himalayan hill along the Line of Control after 20 years, at the same place and on the same date where the Captain had sacrificed his life in the service of the country during the 1999 Kargil War.

Victory flame lighting

July 14, 2019 - The Victory Flame, commemorating 20 years of successful termination of Operation VIJAY, was ignited by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from the eternal flame at National War Memorial, New Delhi. The flame will be carried by a team of motorcyclists over 11 towns and cities to finally merge with the flame at Kargil War Memorial, Dras on Friday.

Kargil War-themed train

July 15, 2019 - One of the ten trains depicting the saga of the Kargil War was flagged off by railways from New Delhi station on the occasion of Kargil Diwas. Vinyl wrappings depicting the tale of the war and sacrifices of martyrs will be put up on trains said a railways spokesperson.

Navy allows warship-visit

July 20, 2019 - Navy throws open the doors of the Western and Southern Naval Command where visitors will be able to visit its frontline warships on June 26 ( only for children), 27 (general visitors) from 0900 -1500 hours.

KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS

Preparations are in full swing for the celebration of 20th Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. This year, the anniversary of "Operation Vijay" will be celebrated with the theme 'Remember, Rejoice and Renew'. The Army will 'remember' the fallen heroes by revisiting their sacrifices, will 'rejoice' by celebrating the victory in Kargil and 'renew' the resolve to safeguard the honour of the tricolour. The celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the war will be spread over three days, from July 25 to July 27 in Drass, Kargil.