Our Bureau
New York, NY
Every year Shradhaa Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Consulate in New York Celebrates the Kargil Victory on 26th July. This year being the 25th Anniversary the event has a special significance as the generation changes. It was a well-structured program that was timed for each minute of its duration. The program started with a one minute’s silence in honor of our soldiers who laid their life in line of duty to protect our nation. The Consulate General of India in New York Mr. Pradhan then addressed the audience giving importance of our defense forces and the significance of the Vijay Diwas. He also narrated some instances from his memory when the actual war was being fought 25 years ago.
The main program started by a patriotic song “Deh Shiva Var Mohe” by Dinesh Mirchandani. As the martial music of the song slowed down, Col Virendra Tavathia Co-Founder and Trustee of Shradhaa Foundation presented a short video on Kargil War prepared by Hemant Tavathia of Dunhill Studios. The 18 minutes video described prelude to the war, the bus journey of then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Bajpayee Ji to Lahore, the betrayal by Pakistan and the major battles of the Kargil War starting with the first Victory at Tololing to the culmination of War with Capture of Tiger Hill. The difficulties faced by our brave soldiers in that difficult terrain fighting from 16000-18000 feet high mountains, the resolve of our Infantry Men and the power of Artillery and Air Force were highlighted and brought to the notice of the audience.
It was followed by short videos collected from the soldiers who participated in these difficult attacks and shared their experience of what it takes to protect the nation. It goes without saying that we as a nation can never pay enough to our men and women in uniform who give up their “Today” to protect our “Tomorrow.” It was followed by the song “Ab Tumhare Hawale Vatan Sathio” by Aparna Oak, stressing the need for all of us to work in whatever capacity we can to protect our nation. It is the duty of every citizen to protect his/her nation as much as it is of the person in uniform. These celebrations are done every year to remind all of us about the sacrifices made by our brave hearts to protect us and our children. The Song “Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logo” by Yogita Gandhi was played to remind just that.
The function was attended by a number of Veterans coming from different places. Lt Gen Mohan Gurbaxani a diehard infantry man, visiting from India was the seniormost ranking officer who attended the function. Lt Col Rohatgi a 71 War Veteran and Col Jugal Kishor from EME, Col Ajit Singh Rana, Bihar Regt came from Washington D.C., Maj Gen Manji Khara, Artillery, Maj Karan Bains, Mech Infantry coming all the way from Austin Texas, Maj Meenakshi, AMC were the few notable veterans who attended the function. The senior trustee Mr. Ratilal Patel thanked the audience, Mr. Rajinder Kumar of King Palace who organized the snacks for the entire bus party that traveled from NJ to the Consulate, Mr. Ashish Nigam for providing Photography coverage and Ms. Megha Gupta for helping with decorations. the people who helped in organizing the event. The function ended with the dinner organized by the Indian Consulate in New York.
Shradhaa Foundation would like to thank the Honorable Consul General and the entire staff of the Indian Consulate in New York for their help in organizing this important day. We would also like to thank TV Asia and Radio Zindagi for being a valuable media partner in promoting the event.
The Shradhaa Foundation which organizes this event every year was founded by Col Virendra S Tavathia (Rajputana Rifles) and Ms. Seema Jagtiani (Amogh Associates) in 2011. The two founders and Mr. Ratilal Patel are the three trustees of the foundation. The foundation helps the widows and children of soldiers of Indian Origin, and of the Havildar and below ranks to achieve education up to at least 12th grade. The foundation is also helping soldiers with disability who are having financial crisis. For more information about the foundation, visit its website. Shradhaa Foundation is looking for Sponsors, Volunteers and members to help more widows of our soldiers.
