SHIMLA/HAMIRPUR:  Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur   at the state level Kargil Vijay Diwas function today held at Hamirpur paid tributes to the martyrs of Kargil War.  But on the other hand, the former Chief Minister Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal chose  Sujanpur, 24 km apart and paid his tributes to the war heroes there today.

These two parallel functions  held just  a 20 minute drive apart has set the political circle aflame ahead of the coming state assembly elections.

The functions, dedicated to remember the Kargil war heroes and celebrating Vijay Diwas today, were held in Hamirpur district, which  has one of the highest number of ex-servicemen and serving soldiers in the state.  

Even social media and BJP rank and file are taking turns to  see the growing "bitterness and gulf between the BJP leaders" that does not bode good for the party, caution the party workers.  

There are reports that the CM’s function was held in a hurry and the certain ex-servicemen  took to social media flagging their displeasure at arrangement at the venue in Hamirpur.  

Though Chief Minister did not make any comment at the parallel function at Sujanpur on  “Kargil Vijay Diwas, he  said the Divas  is a symbol of unwavering patriotism, extraordinary bravery, valour and determination of our armed forces.

Chief Minister announced Rs 70 lakh for construction of a ‘Shaheed Park’ at Hamirpur near statue of Shaheed Captain Mridul Sharma. He paid tributes to Capt Sharma.   

He also honoured the ‘Veer Naris’, widows of martyrs and other family members of martyrs on the occasion. 

On the other hand, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal paid his tributes to the breave hearts of India and honoured the family members of the martyrs.

On Vijay Divas, “Koti Koti” Naman to Kargil war heroes and all Indian soldiers.

“The country is proud of its soldiers. Sahid ki Chitaayaon par lage Ge Har Saal Mele, Vatan Par Marne Walaon ka Yahi Baki Nishan Hoga”, Dhumal quoted a line from his poem at Sujanpur to pay his tributes to martyrs striking chord with the ex-servicemen, who came in good number to attend the function.  

In Hamirpur, Chief Minister said  this historic day every Indian remembers the sacrifices of our brave soldiers with a sense of gratitude.   

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a victory saga written 23 years ago at the peaks of Kargil and will be motivating the generation to come, he said.

Chief Minister cited data as to what the state government had been doing for the ex-servicemen over the years.

He said  out of 527 Indian soldiers martyred during Kargil War, 52 martyrs were from Himachal Pradesh and out of four Param Vir Chakra winners two were from the State.

Captain Vikram Batra was one such brave-heart from Palampur of the State, who sacrificed his life for the country.

He said that  Hawaldar Sanjay Kumar of District Bilaspur was also honoured with Param Vir Chakra, for his gallantry during Kargil War.  

He said that Himachal Pradesh is known as Vir Bhumi and has always followed the tradition of courage and sacrifice. 

He said that Rs. five lakh each was provided to family members of the 52 soldiers martyred during the Kargil war and 12 soldiers with more than 50 percent disability were provided with ex-gratia grant of Rs. 2.5 lakh.

He said that under a special scheme of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, about 28 dependents of martyred soldiers have been provided gas agencies and petrol pump through Department of Food and Civil Supplies in the State. 

Jai Ram Thakur said that presently there were about 1.25 lakh ex-servicemen, 923 Veer Naris and 37,659 widows of ex-servicemen in the State.

He said that in Hamirpur district alone there were 19,550 ex-servicemen, 161 Veer Naris and the State is proud of its 4 Param Vir Chakra, 02 Ashok Chakra, 11 Mahavir Chakra and 23 Kirti Chakra winners.  Apart from this, 1107 soldiers are honored by various medals, he added. 

He also announced opening of Jal Shakti Sub Division at Didwin Tikkar on the occasion. 

He also lauded the ‘Agniveer scheme’ launched by the Centre Government for recruitments of youth in the Indian Army.

He said that the State Government would also provide Government employment to all the Agniveers retiring from the Army.  

Chief Minister also administered oath of national integration on the occasion. A documentary on Kargil war was also screened on the occasion. 

Earlier, Jai Ram Thakur also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of four developmental projects costing over Rs. 54 crore at Town Hall Hamirpur in Hamirpur district today.

Chief Minister inaugurated Rs. 4.33 crore Model Career Centre at Hamirpur.

MLA Hamirpur Narender Thakur said that Hamirpur district has a largest number of serving and ex-servicemen in the State, which was an honour and pride. 

Director Sainik Welfare Department Brig. Madan Sheel Sharma said that ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ was a day to pay our respect and gratitude to the brave sons of soil, who laid down their lives for the cause of the nation.

Deputy Commissioner Hamirpur Debasweta Banik presented vote of thanks.

MLA and Deputy Chief Whip Kamlesh Kumari, former MLA Ram Rattan, State Coordinator Kaushal Vikas Nigam Naveen Sharma, Chairman Kangra Agriculture Bank  Kamal Nayan, Chairperson State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Vandana Kumari, SP Hamirpur Akriti Sharma, family members of martyrs, ex-servicemen were present on the occasion among others.