By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed with deep reverence and patriotic fervour at Gita Govinda Sadan, Bhubaneswar. Organised jointly by the Being Indian Foundation and the Rotaract Club of Bhubaneswar Royal, the event paid heartfelt tribute to the courage and sacrifice of India’s soldiers — from the battlefields of Kargil to the dedication shown in recent missions like Operation Sindoor.
The gathering brought together decorated defence personnel, social leaders, youth clubs, and members of civil society, united in honouring the nation’s real heroes. Maj Gen Pradeep Patnaik, VSM, Indian Army, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and addressed the gathering with powerful reflections on the legacy of the Indian Armed Forces.
He highlighted the importance of public remembrance and called on the younger generation to inherit the spirit of service, patriotism, and responsibility. Mr. Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder & CEO of IG Drones, spoke about the vital contribution of technology to India’s defence sector. He proudly shared how homegrown drones developed in Odisha played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, reinforcing the power of local innovation in supporting
national security efforts.
Mr. Satyajit Satpathy, former Ranji player, spoke on the values of discipline and leadership
learned through sports, and their relevance to nation-building and public service. Mr. Smrutiranjan Biswal, Founder of Being Indian Foundation, welcomed the guests and
recounted the Foundation’s consistent efforts since 2012 to honour the legacy of India’s armed forces through annual observances and civic engagement.
Mr. Debabrata Maharana, President of Rotaract Club of Bhubaneswar Royal, shared the role of youth organisations in fostering patriotic values through community action. A key moment of the evening was the public appeal made by the organisers to establish a “Armed Forces Memorial Park in Bhubaneswar”, modelled after the National War Memorial in Delhi.
