MP Arora remembers martyrs on 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas

Ludhiana, July 26, 2024: MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora presided over the function organsied by Directorate Defence Services Welfare Punjab, to celebrate 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum here on Friday. 

Speaking on the occasion, Arora remembered the Kargil martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. He quoted excerpts of a Kargil martyr who wrote a letter to his family before leaving for the warfront. He added the nutshell of the martyr’s letter was that a soldier always remained ready to sacrifice his life for the nation. He said if soldiers are brave then their families too are brave. 

Arora stressed on the need to further popularise Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum. He said the museum is a great place to know about the history of our martyrs and the wars occurred after the Independence. He said even the museum contains rich information about pre-Independence of the country. However, he said he wants to see further upgradation of this museum, therefore, he released a grant of Rs.10 lakh out of MPLAD Fund. 

Further, Arora announced that he would write letters to all the local school principals to arrange trips of schoolchildren at the museum so that schoolchildren may get information about the history of our martyrs and the country as well. He hoped that the schoolchildren trips to this museum will be very beneficial. He opined that such trips will not only inform the children about the history and martyrs but they will also get an inspiration to joint the Indian Army. 

Arora categorically stated that the state government under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann is committed to look after the welfare of martyrs’ families and ex-servicemen of the state. He said he was thankful to CM Bhagwant Mann that he has started giving financial help of Rs.1 Crore to every family of the martyr. He said the other state government have started following this decision of Punjab Government.  

Arora honoured the families of brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation in Kargil operation. 

On the occasion, Arora released a brochure dedicated to 25th Kargil Diwas 2024 and a documentary depicting Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum Ludhiana, prepared by the Author and Nature Artist Harpreet Sandhu. In this documentary, Brig Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, Director, Defence Services Welfare, Punjab endorsed the extraordinary efforts of Sandhu in promoting the museum through his meticulously crafted pictorial brochure of the museum.

Col SS Saini District Defence Services Welfare officer Ludhiana thanked the dignitaries who presided the event. Harpreet Sandhu was among those who spoke on the occasion.

Among others, ADC Major Amit Sareen and Col HS Kahlon (retired) were present. 

MP Sanjeev Arora who was accompanied with his son Kavya Arora, daughter Ketki Arora and daughter-in-law Guneet Arora, and Sutlej Club Ludhiana sports secretary Dr Sulbha Jindal also visited Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum. He was highly impressed after seeing this museum. On some occasions, he was seen bowing his head before portraits and statues of the martyrs.