A special assembly and workshop was held for classes 8-12 on 26th July 2024, to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas. This is a day of immense national significance, as it honours the valour and sacrifices of our brave soldiers during the Kargil War in 1999. The event was graced by Brigadier Neelesh Bhanot, SM, a decorated veteran of the Indian Army.
The workshop commenced with the introduction of the chief guest, followed by the School choir's rendition of patriotic songs that set the mood for the day's solemn, yet inspiring proceedings.
Principal Ms Tania Joshi, invited Brigadier Bhanot to share his experiences and enlighten us about the reason for the Kargil War, and how the conflict began.
The Brigadier gave the students a vivid account of what had transpired. The extreme cold and heavy snow on the high-altitude posts, had forced both the Indian and Pakistani troops to temporarily vacate their positions. Taking advantage of this, the Pakistani forces infiltrated into the Indian side and captured strategic posts in the Kargil region, leading to the outbreak of the war. He recounted the heroic sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers, as they fought valiantly to reclaim their posts despite facing very stiff challenges. Brigadier Bhanot shared a poignant story of losing two of his colleagues to a Pakistani shell attack, throwing light on the heavy toll of the war.
He also provided personal anecdotes, like keeping his own deployment at Kargil a secret from his mother to keep her from anxiety her. He also shared some lighter, humorous moments during the conflict, offering a balanced view of a soldier’s life.
Following his speech, the floor was opened for questions from the students. Several.students asked insightful questions, including, how the Indian Army had concluded that the infiltrators were Pakistani troops and not Kashmiri immigrants, to which Brigadier Bhanot explained the intelligence and reconnaissance methods used.
Another question that came up was how the Indian Army had evolved and adapted its strategies and operations after the Kargil War, to which Brigadier Bhanot detailed the various reforms and improvements implemented.
Following the interactive session, Vice Principal Dr Anu Singh, felicitated Brigadier Neelesh Bhanot with a token of appreciation on behalf of School. The day's proceedings concluded with the national anthem, a
fitting tribute to the heroes of Kargil.
The workshop was a profound and moving experience for all the participants. Brigadier Neelesh Bhanot's insights and stories not only highlighted the sacrifices made by our soldiers, but also ignited a deep sense of patriotism among students and faculty alike.
May the spirit of Kargil Vijay Diwas continue to keep the flame of patriotism alight in our hearts and always keep us indebted for the sacrifices made by our soldiers.
The assembly left an indelible mark on everyone present, reinforcing our collective resolution to honour and remember the brave souls who laid down their lives for our nation.
Deepanshi Moitra, class 11B
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