PM Modi Pays Homage to Kargil Heroes, Praises Youth Achievements in 'Mann Ki Baat'

Homage to Kargil Heroes

On July 26th, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the nation's brave soldiers in his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat'. He recalled how Indian soldiers, with extraordinary courage, vanquished the enemy from the high peaks of Kargil.

Despite adverse conditions and enemy challenges, the morale of our soldiers surpassed every obstacle as they sacrificed everything for the protection of Mother India. The Prime Minister respectfully saluted all the brave martyrs and soldiers of Kargil, remembering their contributions.

Youth Achievements Shine Bright

During his address, the Prime Minister also specifically highlighted and encouraged the achievements of the nation's youth. He mentioned recent successes in the fields of sports, science, and technology.

In this context, he referred to the Physics Olympiad, where all five Indian students secured Gold Medals, bringing India the top rank. He noted that Indian students have been winning Gold or Silver Medals in every Physics Olympiad for the past decade. Furthermore, all students achieved Gold Medals in the Chemistry Olympiad, marking the best performance to date. In the Biology Olympiad, students won medals, including one Gold. The Mathematics Olympiad saw students clinching two Gold and four Silver medals.

Appreciation for Young Innovators

Shri Modi lauded the innovation capacity of young minds and their achievements in the space sector. He mentioned the successful launch of Vikram-1, which filled every citizen with pride. This was India's first rocket developed by the private sector.

The Prime Minister stated that our young innovators have achieved what was once difficult to even imagine, demonstrating remarkable skill, passion, and patience. He expressed his delight in witnessing this historic moment.

Youth Make Their Mark in Sports

The Prime Minister also highlighted the spectacular achievements of the youth in the field of sports in recent times. He made a special mention of PV Sindhu, who became the first Indian to win the Japan Open Badminton title. He remarked that the entire nation is proud of her accomplishment.

Additionally, he congratulated the Indian Women's Cricket Team for winning their first Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, calling it a historic victory. He also congratulated the Indian Women's Hockey team for their historic victory at the Tokyo Olympics.

Shaurya Vijay Yatra: Spreading Tales of Valour

Prime Minister Modi stated that today's India not only remembers its heroes but also strives to carry their stories of bravery to the new generation. Upholding this spirit, a special 'Shaurya Vijay Yatra' (Journey of Valor Victory) was organized this year. This motorcycle expedition, which commenced from the National War Memorial in Delhi on July 14th, will reach the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.

The message of this journey is 'One Ride, One Nation, One Salute', serving as a reminder to never forget the sacrifices made for the nation. The expedition is expected to conclude on July 26th.

Technological Strength and Self-Reliance in Defence

The Prime Minister also emphasized India's technological capabilities, particularly the progress in the defence sector. He mentioned India's advancements in defence production, defence exports, and political cooperation with friendly nations.

He informed that the INS Mahendragiri, recently commissioned into the Indian Navy, is a modern warship designed and built entirely in India. It incorporates over 75% indigenous content, symbolizing the growing strength of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). In a similar vein, Shri Modi referenced the successful test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket by DRDO.

He stated that the collective hard work of our scientists and engineers is behind this success. He also mentioned that DRDO successfully tested the Kushya Missile this month. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India is continuously reaching new heights in defence production, exports, and political cooperation with friendly nations. He cited the significant agreement for BrahMos and Astra missiles in Indonesia, noting that the world's trust in India's defence equipment and technology is steadily increasing.