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`The young sacrificed for Kargil victory'

Staff Reporter

Pakistan faced defeat on all four occasions: Colonel Rai

WAR HERO: At a function in S.S.M. College of Engineering in Komarapalayam on Wednesday, Colonel Lalit Rai dedicates all his honours to the selfless Indian soldiers. - PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN

ERODE: It was the altruistic sacrifice of young soldiers in Indian army that led the country to victory in the Kargil war against Pakistan, said Colonel Lalit Rai.

Recipient of the coveted Vir Chakra for his valour and leadership, Col. Rai led the army in the war.

Proving its might

At a function organised on Wednesday by the S.S.M. College of Engineering in Komarapalayam, Col. Rai dedicated every honour that came his way to these young soldiers.

On all four occasions - 1947-48, 1965, 1971 and 1999 - that Pakistan waged a war against India it had faced defeat, especially in the Kargil war, where the country proved its might.

In the Kargil war, Indian soldiers defeated the Pakistan army braving inclement weather.

This, despite the fact that Pakistan soldiers outnumbered their Indian counterparts.

Hilly terrain

Col. Rai outlined the hilly terrain of Jammu-Kashmir where Indian soldiers had camped, guarding the country.

He thanked the Government for spending Rs. 550 crores a day for Defence.

Stressing the need for patriotism among the youth, he exhorted them to join the military to serve the country.

In the next few years, the country would be one of the powerful at the global level, he said.

Presiding the function, Head of the Shivaji Productions in Chennai G. Ramkumar - son of late actor Shivaji Ganesan - lauded the dauntless patriotism of Col. Rai.

Request for film

Former national president of Round Table India and IAB Studio in Coimbatore founder M. Jaikumar requested Mr. Ramkumar to produce a film based on Col. Rai's life. Managing Director of Tan India Mines and Minerals M.S. Kumanan, Chairman of the College of Engineering M.S. Mathivanan and Principal K. Natarajan spoke.

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