DRASS, July 26: Union Ministers on Saturday joined hundreds of youth, cadets, and locals in Drass to mark the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas and pay tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil War.
At the Old Horse Polo Ground in Bhimbhat, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Chief Guest of the event, addressed young volunteers from Yuva Bharat, NCC and NSS, along with school and college students. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and LAHDC Kargil Chairman Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon.
MY Bharat volunteers, citizens, and defence personnel march through Drass in the #KargilVijayDiwasPadyatra — joined by Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
A living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our heroes.#MYBharatPadyatra pic.twitter.com/MfzxZyJDZb— Mera Yuva Bharat – MY BharatHQ (@MYBharatHQ) July 26, 2025
Dr. Mandaviya urged the youth to dedicate themselves to building a strong and developed India, guided by the spirit of “Nation First.” Recalling his recent visit to Tiger Hill, he said a young soldier standing guard in the cold heights was a true reflection of commitment and patriotism. “We never start a conflict, but if provoked, India knows how to respond with courage and dignity,” he said.
Minister Sanjay Seth also addressed the gathering, praising the energy of the youth and the sacrifices of the armed forces. He encouraged students to live with discipline and national pride, inspired by the legacy of the Kargil heroes.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri @SethSanjayMP paid tribute to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces on the occasion of #KargilVijayDiwas2025 during the Vijay Diwas Padyatra organised by Mera Yuva Bharat in Drass. He was joined by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports… pic.twitter.com/x6bFQPyx4T
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) July 26, 2025
Later, a Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra was flagged off from Himabass School by Surekha Mahdukar Patil, sister of martyr Naik Mahadev Namdev Patil, along with her husband. The tribute march witnessed the participation of over 1,000 students, veterans, and citizens.
Celebrations continued at the Kargil War Memorial with patriotic performances, wreath-laying, and interactions with dignitaries.
The #KargilVijayDiwasPadyatra is officially flagged off from Drass!
On the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, hundreds step forward with patriotic pride — joined by Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.#KargilVijayDiwas #MYBharatPadyatra pic.twitter.com/6VbpnqUAeW
— Mera Yuva Bharat – MY BharatHQ (@MYBharatHQ) July 26, 2025
