THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Col J P Singh rise up and go to Balidan Stumbh to light a candle. Excelsior On 26 July, nation remem- has been turned Established 1965 bers 527 brave soldiers and civil- Kargil, which shamed Pakistan into fairy tales by Bollywood. Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra ians who made supreme sacrifice Films like 'LOC KARGIL' are in the Kargil War for the sover- to Lahore Declaration. He of everything for those who lost casualties of the war were at situation, the 2IC, Lt Col Vish- mesmerising. Even Barkda Dutt eignty of the Republic. To com- replied, "Can we ever get Kash- a husband, a father or a son. What Tololing. Here's the story of the wanathan himself led the next romanticized it by saying, "I was State Electricity memorate their martyrdom, it is mir through paper work. We have more a nation can expect from its toughest battle fought. Towering attack, knowing well it be suici- very young when I went to the celebrated as 'Vijay Divas'. It is an opportunity to take Kashmir. soldiers? Hence the martyrs over Drass, Tololing was the dal and it was. Attack after attack battle field and was surprised to a golden day in Indian History Why miss it". He said so because deserve a candle to be lit in their highest feature overlooking the got stalled and the casualties find many officers and men Regulatory Commission because on this day military top brass told him, "Sir, memory. Dogra Swabhiman National Highway. If not mounted despite the Air Force younger than me". Many of them your name will go down in the Sangathan (DSS) should lead cleared, the NH would remain use. Later, 2 Raj Rif was brought hat a Regulatory Commission established won a glorious victory over its including Capt Vikram Batra of enemy. It is a 'red letter day' in history of Pakistan in golden let- Dogras to Balidan Stambh to pay cutoff. Initially, the task of cap- in for fresh assault. 90 volunteers 'Dil Mange More' fame died in by an Act of the Legislature with varied func- ters as a man who liberated Kash- under the command of Maj the military history because the 'Dearest Papa, Mama and Granny, the war. To my mind wars should Ttions should lie defunct and asleep for the story of Kargil War is written mir. After the Quaid, it is a unique Vivek Gupta were earmarked to not be glorified as Kargil was. last two years, could happen in Jammu and with the blood of young officers opportunity to be remembered as By the time you get this letter I'll be observing you capture Tololing. The assault My reason lies in the hype creat- the 'Fatahi Kashmir'. Sir, you will all from the sky enjoying the hospitality of the Apsaras. started at 6 PM on 21 June with Kashmir State, a fact which should not surprise and men. This day also com- ed over 'surgical strike'. It was memorates the sufferings, com- go down in the history as PM in I have no regrets, in fact even if I become a human the fire support of Bofor guns. 90 glorification as well as demo- many, looking to the insouciant and half- hearted passion and fortitude of their whose tenure Kashmir was again, I'll join the Army and fight for my Nation. daredevils were divided into nization. While it was chest- approach of the State administration towards an resolved". Sharif, visualising three teams, one to assault loved ones. For the widows, the If you can, please come and see where the Indian thumping for ruling politicians, issue as vital as electricity - its generation, distri- wait of husband; for the children, himself as 'liberator of Kashmir' straight up the ridge, the other to it was anathema for the opposi- Army fought for your tomorrow. bution and pricing. It is in respect of Jammu and wait of father and for the fathers, approved the invasion and blun- go across the lower ridge to cut tion. No platform was spared by dered for which not only he suf- As far as the unit is concerned the new chaps should off enemy retreat and the third Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Commission wait of son is yet to get over. any to discuss surgical strike and Least we can do on this solemn fered, the nation also endured be told about this sacrifice. I hope my photo will be kept team to attack from behind. Pak- mudslinging. Same is true of (SERC), established and incorporated by an Act day is to light a candle at the Bal- long spell of military dictator- in the 'A' Coy Mandir. istanis fired and rolled boulders Kargil War. Premier Vajpayee of legislature titled "Jammu and Kashmir State ship. Politicians make mistakes on the assaulting troops. Our sol- idan Stumbh. I am sure Dogras Whatever organ can be taken should be done. was castigated for intelligence will live up to this pledge. not only in Pakistan but diers lobbed grenades in the failure, indecisiveness, failing to Electricity Regulatory Commission Act 2000" Contribute some money to orphanage and keep on which, unfortunately, has been lying totally dor- Extent of Kargil is 220 kms also. Our politicians made bigger loopholes which forced the Pak- cross LoC and the massacre of traversing most rugged high alti- mistakes by going to the UN giving Rs 50/ to Ruksana per month and meet Yogi istanis out in the open where young men. By now lot is known mant and inoperative since the year 2016. tude peaks of great Himalayas against military advice in 1947- Baba. hand to hand fight ensued. Maj about Kargil War through media, The main functions of the Commission are with minus 50 temperature. 48, returned 93,000 prisoners Best of luck to Bindia, never forget this sacrifice of Vivek made the supreme sacri- movies and hearsay because without getting back our prison- fice but not before capturing two enumerated in the Act itself, the top ones being Hand to hand fight in perilous men. Papa you should feel proud, Mama so should you. Kargil lies in J&K which is rationalization of electricity tariff, transparent rugged high altitude terrain ers, gave away Hajipir and difficult posts on the icy slopes always in the news for some rea- Chhamb. Hence a lesson learnt is meet **** (I loved her). Mamaji forgive me for every- of Tololing. Hav Yashvir Singh policies in respect of subsidies, evolving environ- against well entrenched enemy son. with exemplary courage & val- that national interests of a coun- thing wrong I did. Tomar, a dashing commando, War if thrust upon, must be mental friendly policies and other related mat- our of young officers and Jawans try can best be protected by the Ok then its time for me to join my clan of dirty dozen, charged the last of the bunkers fought on enemy's territory. ters. The issue of pricing or tariff of electricity, turned the table and put Pakistan armed forces. To do so wars are my assault party has 12 chaps. and was found dead with his Unfortunately, this cardinal prin- whether wholesale or retail, are mandated to be to great shame. Kargil victory is fought and sacrifices made, as in Rifle in one hand and a grenade cipal was not applied in Kargil Kargil. There are glorious exam- Best of Luck to you all, in the other. Capt Vijayant Thap- determined and reviewed by the Commission a stark reality of humiliating an War. To take war to enemy terri- errant nation. ples of officers and men dying in Live life King Size, par, (whose father Col Thappar tory involved crossing the LoC. from time to time and this fixation is not arbitrary War is said to be the result of the battlefield. Skeletons of our Yours Robin is often seen in TV debates) was Had this option been exercised, but dictated by various factors like the cost of failed diplomacy. Let's see how forefathers are still lying scat- (There were many letters like). instrumental in capturing Tolol- the victory would have been supply as well as the quality of supply or the sup- the diplomacy fails when person- tered in Kargil when they fought ing. (A few days later he died faster. It would have shown India ply with improved levels of efficiency. Having al interest over-rides. It was Pak- a similar war in 1947-48. tribute to the martyrs to standby turing Tololing was given to 18 while capturing Knoll & Three as a strong nation which takes Supreme sacrifice of Capt absolute nationalism enshrined Grenadiers. The battle began on Pimple complex). At 4.10 AM, said all this, it is beyond comprehension as to istan which started war because bold decisions and consequent Gen Musharraf couldn't live Saurav Kalia with five brave sol- in its vision document. 20th May. Enemy being at a Col Ravindranath, Co 2 Raj Rif, risk such as it did by a 'surgical why the Commission should not perform its des- without Kashmir. Initial objec- diers, Capt Vikram Batra, Capt One of the above is a hero of height was able to observe all the gave a short radio message to strike'. Despite restraints, army ignated role, at least in this critical area. tive was to upgrade freedom Manoj Kumar Pandey, Maj Sar- Tololing, which changed the movement making climb up Maj Gen Mohinder Puri, GOC 8 evicted the intruders and Governor N N Vohra has, now, issued strict movement in the valley. Later it vanan, Capt Vijayant Thappar, course of Kargil War, so much so excruciatingly slow. Regardless, Mtn Div. All he said was, "Sir, regained the lost territory, albeit, Capt Anuj Nayyar, Capt Hanif- that once Tololing was captured, the brave men carried on. Maj I'm on Tololing Top". Tololing directions for making the Commission functional was converted to capture Kash- at very heavy cost. It is to the val- mir on which Pak Foreign Min- ud-Din N/Sub Chuni Lal and the army was able to get quick Adhikari laid down his life in a was finally captured by 2 Raj Rif. our & the sacrifices of young and performing. ister Sartaj Aziz expressed reser- many others are glaring example wins over surrounding heights daring attack which saw him Capt Vijayant's last letter is an officers and men and fortitude of While reviewing implementation of schemes of vations. He asked Nawaz Sharif of dying for the motherland. So and throw the Pakistanis out. It reach within 15 mtrs of the ridge eye opener. Its transcript is Veer Naris that this article is ded- the power sector in the State, Governor noted with whether it would not be contrary many died in oblivion. It was end wasn't easy. Nearly half of the behind Tololing. Realising the below. It will surely make you icated. concern that no serious attention had been paid towards reversing the causes of dormancy of the Colonel Shiv Choudhary just in the Kargil-Dras sector but (Retd) across all states of India. In New Commission for two years. Why had the previous , PM pays homage to the war he thundering of guns and Government adopted taciturnity and reticence Remembering Kargil Martyrs heroes at Amar Jawan Jyoti at border skirmishes across India Gate. This is the reason; the towards this issue especially in the light of the the LoC that divides India called in.Though limited, yet the army chief, Gen Parvez Mushar- all has happened to those who ment and resultant impending T whole country feels emotionally State exchequers having been subjected to incur- and Pakistan (Pak) in Kashmir has decisive intervention by the Indi- raf was giving final shape to were responsible. election. Pak woefully underesti- integrated, united in its nation- never been a novelty.However, it an Air Force changed the dynam- intended Kargil adventure and Diplomatically Pak failed on mated the collective Indian ring heavy losses on account of no revision or hood, forgetting caste, region or was a bit intriguing, when the two ics of the operations in a dramat- utilised the operational time and all fronts. Militarily, Pakistan was response. Infact, Pak was shell review of the tariff of power generation and distri- religion on this day. Since we have sides exchanged fire in the first ic and unprecedented way on May space to deceive the Indian lead- forced to rethink its strategy at shocked after a few days of initial no religion, caste, or quota in the bution. week of May 1999. It was more 26. It started raining rockets and ership. Kargil. Infact, Pak PM turned operations and did not expect a Indian army, everyone fights for It is ludicrous that there should be confusion so, because just three months ear- machine gun fire on the Pak posi- There have been lot of views, himself from a hero to zero by this full-scale offensive by India. Pak India and pays his/her homage to lier, the Prime Ministers (PM) of tions occupied on high reaches controversies, case studies and disastrous misadventure. India expected UN intervention and coupled with a deliberate 'go slow' approach in the martyrs as true Indian. the two countries had embraced and behind the ridges and disrupt- brain storming sessions both by has since been taking many arrival of international emissary empanelling the members on the Commission as Jammu, which can proudly each other at the Wagah, to work ed their supply lines in the rear of the army and political leadership. actions to internationally expose to broker peace, thus achieving boast of innumerable martyrs and also for its post of Chairperson. List of the "proba- towards peace. Also, after PM of the enemy. This involved strategists, experts, Pak at different levels through her aim of internationalizing decorated heroes, marches ahead bles" reportedly had been shortlisted and now is India was accorded a 21 guns By May end, a proper war like intelligence agencies, commit- varied channels; be it G-8 to hit Kashmir issue. The frustration to pay its utmost respect to the salute on his visit to Pak, it was situation involving selectively tees, inquiries and boards to Pak's crippling foreign reserves, and hopelessness of the situation prepared for final decision to be taken by the martyrs of Kargil war today ie 26 hoped that the guns on the two targeted air strike was existing in analyse the failure to foresee Pak's IMF for monetary assistance/ forced Pak PM to dash abroad in Selection Committee headed by the Chief Jul. Like every year, this day is sides would permanently fall Kargil. This was further backed massive recce, planning, defence loan, US for anti-terrorist opera- the thick of war on Jun 28 for a being celebrated at the sacred site, Secretary. Since the Commission could not func- silent. by the Air Force with one of the preparations, build-up, logistic tions on Pak soil and diplomati- supporting response or a face Balidan Stambh in Jammu by tion, the tariffs too could not be revised. We are Sadly, the much-aroused hope tasks to keep the crucial Srinagar- movements, aviation activities cally to expose it as hub for har- saver. Indian plan in not crossing everyone, residing in and around was quickly shattered at the Leh highway free from the Pak- the LOC was endorsed by the pained to find more of political consideration in the Jammu city with equal poignan- approach of summer, when the istani threat. On June 13, crucial USA. Russia too backed India entire gamut of the dormancy of the Commission cy, pride, spirit and enthusiasm. heavily armed Pakistani army Tololing peak was captured, while France, China, Britain This sacred site will be decorated rather than any cogent reasons. masquerading as terrorists, which proved a turning point in expressed their concern to settle by a group of young volunteers Two consecutive years were deliberately crossed the LoC on 80 Km front the operations. This was immedi- Kargil issue bilaterally. It taught named 'Martyrs Welfare Group' and occupied the Kargil heights ately followed by the capture of Pak that India has the strategic allowed to go without any decision on reviewing of with posters, banners and hoard- ranging from 16,000-18,000 ft. Point 5140. Simultaneously, autonomy to pursue its national power tariff. It is despite the fact that petitions and ings showing the martyrs and They began attacking and disrupt- immense pressure was mounting interest without having to seek decorated soldiers standing pleas, reportedly were submitted by the Power ing the strategic highway linking on Pakistan Prime Minister consent from any big powers. amidst icy heights and other areas. Development Corporation to the Government Srinagar and Leh in the first week Nawaz Sharif from all round the India lost many of her brave The occasion demands willing of May 1999. Indian political world. He was badly exposed and warriors in battles conducted on which only vindicates our fears of indulgence of cooperation from society, govt leadership and army quickly had to beat a hasty retreat from his some of the most inhospitable ter- more politics in the entire issue rather than simple organizations like police, JMC realised the Pak perfidy and lost foolish misadventure. On 4 Jul, rains in the world. The fighting and other establishments in help- principles of generating revenues, resulting in at no time and made plans to launch Tiger Hill was recaptured form man climbed and fought valiant- ing the group in temporarily past- least addressing and reversing the fait-accompli physical attacks to evict the Pak- Pakistani army. By now, Sharif ly without rest and respite, the ing/ fixing posters and banners in istanis from our side of the and his over ambitious army chief Bofor Howitzers, AA Guns and of incurring losses by the State coffers. For any an uninterrupted way. All citizens LOC.This led to the Indian army Gen Musharraf were feeling the MBRLs hit with utter precision State, politics and appeasement apart, the path to and Government officials are also to quickly assess, plan and launch heat of their ill-conceived deci- and destroyed concrete positions urged to display more patriotism development and progress lies largely in averting 'Operation Vijay' on 26 May. An sion and fast failing operational both on the forward and reverse and spirit in furthering this solem- losses and revenue leakages, stopping ostenta- army division was moved with plans. Meanwhile, India captured slopes. The logistician ensured nity of the day and with maximum speed to evict the intruders. all the key peaks by 13 July and and defensive works, which took bouring terrorists. Indeed, many that the fighting force need not tious and avoidable expenditures and at the top of presence at Balidan Stambh like The Indian army had the Pak intruders began retreating place over months. All inquiries things are happening during the look back and the medical corps it, generate reasonably enough revenues. In the previous years. Needless to say, inherent tactical and operational from Kargil. A deadline of 16 Jul, seemingly met the fate as hither- last few years. The real test of ensured that no injured suc- this is purely an apolitical occa- instant case, regular reviewing of power tariff disadvantage of moving uphill was set for total withdrawal and to-before with no accountability. India's diplomatic skills lies in the cumbed without valiant effort by sion and everyone should let the would address that problem besides ensuring reg- carrying all war like stores operation Vijay was declared a Only insignificant aspects recom- distant future as to how India can the doctors. The Air Force regret- associated volunteers manage it through the icy heights and inhos- success after a most difficult lim- mended by the Kargil Review internationally ostracise Pak. ted for getting only a limited ular and quality supply of electricity to consumers. without any interference. pitable mountainous terrain. On ited war that lasted 50 days. Vic- Committee have been implement- Apparently, all is on the right chance to wreck hell on Pak and It is everyone's duty to partic- the contrary the Pak army occu- tory, over all conceivable odds ed with the major recommenda- course as Pak has been placed on its army. The brave hearts pre- Mini Secretariat in Tral ipate and pay his rich homage to pied mountain tops and with good bewildered and raised the morale tions of the Report lying frozen in the grey list by the Financial ferred to die for a cause and the departed souls "who preferred top-down observation and could of the nation along with the indeli- the cold storage. The colossal loss Action Task Force for failing to become martyrs for the nation and irst, the issue of location and now the "pop- to die for a cause, than meekly sur- dominate the approaches with ble memories of valour by the of brave hearts and the young curb anti-terror financing. the wounded displayed resilience ular" issue of paucity of funds has proved a rendering to the dictates of ene- effective fire. In the bargain the brave young soldiers led by fear- leaders, casualties suffered by In the overall analysis as beyond imagination to continue my" and those "Who preferred to Fbane for the work on construction of Mini Indian army suffered heavy loss- less military leadership. hundreds and their suffering and pointed by some experts earlier, their fight and will power to re- die for something, than living for Secretariat in Tral area of South Kashmir's es while moving from a lower There is a view that India was torments faced by their families Pak had failed in Kashmir valley, enter the battle field. Victory as nothing". We must show solidar- height to higher ones, as the gullible and trusted Pak in the are the indelible remains of the upstaged in the bus diplomacy thought did finally come to us. Pulwama district. The project at a cost of Rs. ity with the families of brave approaches were devoid of natu- spirit of Lahore Declaration, war. Inter alias three principal and failed to paint the subconti- Sadly it came with bodies of our three crore is aimed at resulting in cutting down departed souls. Long live the Mar- ral cover. The brave Indian army whereas Pakistan had laid the trap agencies, RAW,IB and MI cannot nent as a nuclear flashpoint. Pak fallen heroes wrapped in the tyrs who laid down their lives the time and mitigating other difficulties of people did not relent, facing all odds for the unsuspecting Indian lead- just absolve themselves of a mas- opted for a desperate gamble to national flag. fighting against all odds in "Oper- in inter- departmental dealings by bringing differ- under treacherous fire from ership.It would not be totally out sive intelligence failure of this bring Kashmir to the forefront of On 26 Jul, India salutes its fall- ation Vijay" and the Indian army artillery and small arms, contin- of place to say that while the Pak magnitude. Indeed an unpardon- international consciousness en heroes and stands by the brave ent departments in proximity to one another. The for its selfless devotion and sacri- ued on their mission. The ever- PM was actually signing the able lapse for which many heads again. They factored in the fluc- army for their spectacular victory work on it, however, as on date is virtually fices. reliable Indian Air Force was Lahore Declaration in Feb, his should have rolled but nothing at tuating stability of Indian Parlia- in Kargil. This day is observed not stopped or was going on just for the name sake. ([email protected]) That, at the outset, it should take the authori- ties concerned seven months in deciding the Arresting population growth location of the proposed building is tantamount to Sir, proverbial 'first venture first loss' and as if it was Social Reform This has reference to the writeup 'India moving towards most populous country' (DE, Our responsibility Sir, not enough, paucity of funds has come as a big July 11, 2018). It is shocking to read that India could be the most populous country, over- Sir, impediment in its early completion and becoming taking China in the next few years. This is notwithstanding the fact that India's popula- We discuss about the cleanliness of the foreign countries and There are many social, political and religious operational. It was slated to get completed within tion control programme dates back to 1951. But India's population, which stands around then curse our own. We also aspire to live in a clean and serene leaders. Some organisations are doing an outstand- 125 crores, has increased more than three times since 1951 when it was thirty six crores. a year but just within one month of the com- conditions. But when we take a peep into our duties as a citizen, ing effort in serving the society in various capaci- Around two crore babies are added to India's population every year.The fact that the pop- we feel that most of the responsibility of making the atmosphere ties. But with the times the life has become cum- mencement of the work, it was stopped. The first ulation of U.P almost equals the population of Brazil, that of Maharashtra is equal to dirty lies on our own shoulders. We expect everything from our bersome. In the modern times, there are many facil- Mexico and of Bihar equal to Germany, undercores the dire need to take urgent steps to installment of Rs. one crore in the month of June respective Governments but fail to contribute ourselves. ities for all the people for all the age groups. How- control the surging population. Uncontrolled population bring with it many other prob- ever, one thing is missing. There is no social- as promised has not been released so far. With the announcement of the Swachta Abhiyaan announced lems such as poverty, disease, deaths, low standard of living etc. For instance,there were reformer, who would try to to put the lost rails back by our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, we are still not realising Promises made to the public should match with largest cases of TB and highest number of deaths of children and infants in India in to normal. Dowry system is still existent. In fact, it our contribution. Take the case of our Jammu city, on the ground, concrete time bound action and in cases like the 2016. The factors such as poverty, illiteracy, high fertility rate, decline in death rate etc has attained dangerous trend. Lakhs of rupees are it does not look that Swachta Abhiyaan is in progress. Yes, it is one under reference, proper planning, availability account for rise in population.All this calls for a multipronged strategy to arrest the trend spent on the marriages. Inclusion of alcohol in mar- of surging population. Government must introduce some harsh measures, if needed, to the responsibility of the concerned departments to look into the riage ceremonies is picking up at alarming rate. of funds, utilization strictly as per project report, control population in the larger interest of the country after weighing pros and cons.Steps matter of lifting the rubbish without any delay that is dumped at Divorce cases are on rise. Some customs and tra- supervision, audit, inspection etc must all be con- should be such as donot create demographic imbalances. There must be a system of various points. But at the same time if we look the condition of ditions that are obsolete and painful in modern age stituents of a project that sprouts as a result of incentives and disincentives. Welfare schemes such as scholarships, payment of fee, pro- our parks and other public places we will see packets, polythene, continue. Even the mourning of any dead has tak- motion, contesting elections etc must be linked with family planning programmes. Two cigarette bits, tin boxes, edibles thrown in the same parks by our- en a shape of a curse especially for the poor. There promises made with the public. We expect that to child norm must be vigorously implemented, awareness about various means of birth selves and making them shabby. It is an old saying that revolution are many leaders. Nevertheless, presently there is materialize in the near future, in letter and spirit. control be created in the masses. Steps must be taken to remove illiteracy as education starts from home so unless we understand our own responsibility the need of a social reformer who would sincerely In the meantime, the work on this Mini- is a potent agent of social change.People must be motivated not to follow the views such for making the environment neat and clean the government and in true sense, lead the society so that living Secretariat should be restarted and completed as 'children are the gifts from God' 'family planning is against our religion' etc. announced schemes would not be successful. becomes simple and not a curse. Ankita Sharma, Anil Sharma Vikas Kapoor within the stipulated one year. Udhampur Rajouri Udhampur