JAI Jawan Nagrik Samiti of Surat organised a function on Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26) to honour the family members of the martyred soldiers. The function, organised at Sardar Smriti Bhavan, was presided over by Collector of Surat Shri SJ Shah. The family members of eight martyred soldiers were felicitated at the function by presenting them Rs two lakh and a memento each. Police Commissioner of Surat Shri Rakesh Asthana was also present on the occasion.
The martyred soldiers who were honoured at the function included Munafbin Allarakhabhai Binsalama and his brother Javed of Porbandar, Dinesh Kanjibhai Vaghela, Kacharabhai Sarmanbhai Malam of Junagarh, Lt. Commander Firdosh Mogal, Sahdev Mori of Ahmedabad, Jitendrasinh Chauhan of Sabarkantha, Anandrao Pawar of Baroda and Karansinh Dhirubhai Dabhi of Surendranagar.
Munafbin Allarakhabhai Binsalama and his brother Javed were among the 180 soldiers who were buried alive during the flood in Ladakh on August 6 last year. Their father Shri Allarakhabhai and wife of Munafbin Smt Nasimbanu Munafbin received the Samman. Dinesh Kanjibhai Vaghela had drowned in a pond in Tripura on September 2, 2010. His father Shri Kanjibhai Udajibhai Vaghela and his wife Smt Dakshaben Vaghela received the Samman.
Similarly, Kacharabhai Samranbhai Malam of Gorakha Regiment died in a havlance on January 31, 2010 in Leh glacier. His father Shri Samranbhai, mother Smt Bhanuben Malam, wife Smt Ratanben and son Pratik received the Samman. Firdosh Mogal was Lt Commander in Navy. He was killed while saving civilians during a cyclone in Mumbai on January 30, 2010. His uncle Shri HS Mogal received the Samman. He, however, did not receive the financial assistant, but praised the initiative taken by the Jai Jawan Nagrik Samiti.
Sahdev Ajubhai Mori of Mahar Regiment was killed in Punch sector of Kashmir on October 24, 2010. His brother also serves the army. His father Shri Ajubhai Keharbhai Mori received the Samman. Jitendrasinh Chauhan was killed in Ladakh on January 1, 2010. His wife Gitaben along with their one and a half year daughter, Jhanvi, received the Samman. Dipak Anandrao Pawar was killed in Baramula district of Kashmir on January 19, 2010. His father Shri Anandrao Vitthalrao received the Samman. Similarly, Karan Singh Dhrubhai Dabhi was killed in Punch sector near LoC on July 4, 2011. His father Shri Dhirubhai Ramsangbha and brother Mahipat Singh received the Samman.
Speaking at the function, youth writer Shri Jai Vasavada said if every citizen of the country truly follows his/her duty, the nation can never face any threat. A photo exhibition of the martyrs was also organised at the venue. All the participants paid floral tribute to the martyred.
Shri KD Vaghani, Trustee of the Samiti, said the Samiti came into existence to help the martyred soldiers of Kargil war. But later it was realised that since the soldiers are martyred every year, this tradition should continue and the family members of the martyred should be publicly honoured. He pointed out that till now a total of 140 soldiers have been honoured. In the first year, a total of 12 soldiers were felicitated and their family members were presented Rs four lakh each. After that function, the Samiti continued this tradition by honouring the soldiers of Gujarat who are martyred anywhere in the country. This function is organised on July 26 every year. The prime objective of the Samiti is not only to present financial help to the family members of the martyred but also to publicly honour them. Such events also encourage the younger generation to join the armed forced and the spirit of patriotism is generated in their heart. This event generates the feeling among the soldiers that the entire country is with them, which boosts their morale.
Impressed with the initiative taken by the Samiti, the Indian Air Force presented a retired Mig-23 to Surat which has been kept at Kargil Vijay Smarak built by the Surat Municipality. The names of all the martyred of Kargil war have been inscribed over there.
