Karnataka - Bangalore   

They paid the highest price for the nation’s safety

BANGALORE: Parents who lost their young sons, young wives rendered widows and children who lost their fathers were all there to witness their loved ones being remembered by society.

Tears trickled down many a cheek and some of the grieving struggled to maintain their composure.

Swarnanjali, a dance and music programme, was an occasion to remember the sacrifices of brave soldiers who laid down their lives, and also a time to bring comfort to the families who paid the highest price.

A lyrical tribute to the immortal battle heroes from Karnataka, the programme was organised by Doordarshan, Bangalore University and Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement.

The kith and kin of 23 armed forces personnel were felicitated. Suhasini Vasanth, widow of Col. V. Vasanth who was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the first Kannadiga to be so decorated, was present.

Patriotic fervour ran high when artistes rendered some popular patriotic songs, including “Har Apna Karam Karenge” from the Hindi film Karma by Kavitha Krishnamurthi, “Aey Mere Watan Ke Logo” by Divya Gokulnath, “Sarfroshi Ki Tamanna” and “Jo Samar Me Hogaye Amar” by Chandrika Gururaj, while R. Suchetan and Naga Chandrika rendered “Rashtrabhakti Aralutide”. Kikkeri Krishnamurthy also rendered patriotic songs.

Artiste B.K.S. Verma created a portrait of a brave soldier standing in the backdrop of his fallen comrades just as the iconic number “Aey Mere Watan Ke Logo” was being rendered evoking memories of soldiers who have sacrificed their lives protecting the country. “Vijayi Bhava”, a dance ballet, was performed by artistes from Shambhavi School of Dance that celebrated the valour of soldiers. Earlier, Governor Rameshwar Thakur, in his speech, said that the armed forces were performing multi-roles. Apart from protecting the nation from external aggression, they were involved in preventing anti-national activities, he said.

Besides they were assisting civilian authorities during natural calamities, he added.

Terming the Indian armed forces as “the epitome of excellence”, the Governor said: “Society should take care of soldiers and express its gratitude as reciprocation for their sacrifice.”

A “Portrait of Valour” displayed the names and photographs of armed forces personnel from Karnataka who were killed in action.

According to Director of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Col. C.M. Uthaiah 350 servicemen from the State have attained martyrdom while 125 have suffered injuries.

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