Martyrs' families return from Drass with tearful memories

Jammu, July 29 (UNI) The families of 1999 Kargil war martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to protect the pride of the nation at the highest and coldest battle-field of the world in Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir, returned today with happiness on their faces but pain in the heart and tearful memories.

''I just wanted to see where my only son sacrificed his life for the our great country,'' said Kanta Devi, mother of martyr Uday Man Singh (18).

''I went there to meet my son after a span of seven years but he said he cannot come with me because the country is waiting for him and he disappeared,'' she added.

Tavinder Kaur, wife of martyr Naik Sukhjeet Singh said, ''Finally I also witnessed that great place where my husband sarcificed himself for his country. Drass sector is deficient in oxygen and survival is difficult. I am very proud that my husband enriched the pride of Sikh community by sacrificing his life.'' Pyari Devi, the widow of Subedar Bahadur Singh, could not hold back her tears and said it was her dream to visit the holy place where her husband sacrificed his life.

''I am proud of my son who sacrificed his life for our great nation and inlaid one more pearl to the crown of Jammu and Kashmir,'' said A S Jasrotiya, former I G, Border Security Force (BSF) and father of martyr Major Ajay Singh Jasrotiya.

The families expressed their gratitude to Swami Balak Yogeshwar Das of Ati Vishnu Mahayagna Samiti, as it was solely because of him their dreams were fulfilled.

The families of martyrs resquested the Swami to organise such fuction every year.

The Swami, while talking to the reporters expressed his gratitude to the people of Drass, local administration and media in particular for their cooperation in the Sarv Dharm puja and Maha Yajya.

''The whole idea is to make Drass (Kargil) a living 'teerth sthal' (pilgimage site) for the youth to take inspiration from the martyrs, who sacrified their life for the country,'' the Swami said.

One hundred of the total 582 families of Kargil martyrs participated in the 'Sarvdharma Mahayagna' to mark the seventh anniversary of Vijay Diwas.

UNI HGV SI VV1855