Kohima, 1 July (MTNews): In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War Victory in 1999 and to commemorate the brave Naga soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, the 2nd Naga Regiment organized a Bike Expedition at the WW II Cemetery in Kohima on Saturday.
The event was graced by the presence of Tongpang Ozukum, Advisor for Water Resources, Government of Nagaland, who attended as a special guest. In his address, he paid tribute to the bravery and distinction of Naga soldiers, highlighting the supreme sacrifice they had made during the Kargil War. He emphasized that the nation would forever remember their valor, and their contributions would be etched in Indian history.
Furthermore, the Advisor encouraged the soldiers to uphold the distinct character and discipline that sets them apart, underscoring that the national flag symbolizes the brave soldiers. He acknowledged that honoring their sacrifice is the highest tribute the country can bestow upon a soldier. He extended his best wishes to the expedition team and urged the Naga soldiers to share their stories with the world, paying tribute to the fallen heroes wherever they go.
The Advisor also conveyed good wishes from the Chief Minister’s Office. Accompanying the Advisor was Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
The flag-off ceremony for the Bike Expedition will take place on 2 July at the Assam Rifles Helipad. Inspector General of Assam Rifles (N), Vikas Lakhera, will officiate the ceremony and hand over the soil from Kargil to the Veer Naris (next of kin) of the war heroes. Presently, the 2nd Naga Regiment is stationed at their Headquarters in Ladakh.
The event was attended by esteemed officers, including CO 164 Naga TA, Col. Gaurav Singh, SC SM, and CO 2 Naga Regiment, SS Gusain, along with other officers. The 2nd in command of the 2 Naga Regiment, Lt. Col. Will is leading the expedition team.
The ‘Kargil Victory Expedition’ is set to begin on 2 July, departing from Kohima. The team aims to reach Kargil on 26 July coinciding with Kargil Diwas, after covering an arduous 3700 km journey. The expedition carries the theme of “Kargil Victory Ride.”