Sambar August 19 (KNS): The Eco Club of PPND GDC Samba dedicated a Veeron Ki Vatika under the campaign "Meri Maati Mera Desh” to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsavby honoring18 families of war martyrs from Samba Tehsil. The event aimed at paying a respectful homage to those brave hearts who sacrificed their lives in the service of motherland during various gun battles in 1947,1962,1965,1971,1987-1988,1999,2000,2004 and 2009.
The family members of the martyrs Sub Girdhari Lal, Rfn Major Singh, Sep Nek Ram, Hav Rakesh Kumar, SC, Hav (BHM) Ashok Kumar, L/Hav Puran Chand, Sep Dharam Singh, NK Bawa Singh, L/Hav Kali Dass, Hav Uttam, NK Tara Chand, NK Balbir Singh, NK Rattan Lal, Rfn Ujagar Singh, JEM Sardha Ram, VC, LNK Om Parkash, Sep Puran Chand, Sep Kaushal Singh were invited to Veeron Ki Vatika and were presented with mementos along with brief citation. 18 Saplings of Gulmohar, Delonix Regia, Pongamia Pinnata, and Terminalia Arjunatrees were planted by Martyrs families and name after the aforementioned brave hearts. The motive behind naming these trees after the soldiers was to institute a living memory to these unsung heroes of Samba tehsil.
As a gesture of gratitude and moral strength, the family members of the martyrs were warmly received at the college gate by the NCC cadets and NCC volunteers of the college amidst enthralling patriotic songs by students. The programme began with a melodious recitation of the National Anthem followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp. Dr. (Prof) Twinkle Suri, Principal of the college in her welcome address exhorted that ‘’Veeron Ki Vatika’’ is a humble effort of the institution under the patronage of dept. of Higher Education, J&K UT to pay homage to our 18 unsung Heroes of Samba tehsil who attained martyrdom during different wars, adding that these saplings are symbolic of passion,perseverance and patriotism which needs to be inculcated in our young minds so as to nurture a socially sensitized and morally upright civilization. The programme concluded with the recital of Late Atal Bihari Vajpaye’s “Bharat koi Mitti Ka Tukda Nahi Hai, Yeh ek Jeeta Jaagta RashtraPurush hai” followed by a solemn rendition of the National Anthem. The event was attended by the college fraternity and students.
The proceedings of the function were conducted by Prof. Kamal Jeet (HOD Hindi), while the formal vote of thanks was given by Prof. Vijay Kumar, Convener Eco Club.(KNS)