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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 04, 2023 | The Indian Eye 22

Vijay Diwas Celebrations hosted by

Shraddha Foundation at Indian Consulate

SANYA GUPTA
New York, NY
uly 26th, 2023, marked the 24th
anniversary of Vijay Diwas. Vi-
Jjay Diwas is celebrated to recog-
nize India’s victory against Pakistan in
the Kargil War. Vijay Diwas is cele-
brated with freedom in minds, faith in
words, pride in hearts, and memories
in souls.
At the event held at the Indian
Consulate in New York, many he-
roic soldiers were remembered and
praised. The soil from the battlefield
during the war was also displayed for
the audience to see. Consul General
Randhir Jaiswal, Col Virendra Tav-
athia, Maj Krishna Chari, Maj Gen
Manjit Khara, and Col KB Singh (a
veteran of 1971 War), were all pres-
ent during this lively event.
Shradhaa Foundation’s mission
is to provide financial support, edu-
cational resources, and career coun-
seling for the spouses and children
of soldiers of Indian Descent. It has
helped many widows and children
over 12 years so far. With their de-
termination and courage, they have
helped many families and children
of our soldiers back home struggling
financially as well as those needing
professional guidance.
As Seema Jagtiani proudly an-
nounced, “Our promise to the world
is that all the donations meant to be
delivered to India will not go through
any secondary sources. Your money
will safely be sent to where you ex-
pect it to go.”
Seema is a passionate woman
who from a very young age has want-
ed to be that “vision” that people are
usually not able to see in the army.
She mentioned, “...when people talk
about the army, they don’t really think
that our soldiers are on duty 24/7

even when there is no war going on.” money?” Only one raised his hand. the atmosphere had made me think I learned something that sank into
Seema explained how when there Everyone else was there to protect as if we were at a place in India, and my heart: “Soldiers have to work in
are floods in India, or the landslides, their nation, even if that meant risk- not in New York. It is amazing to see climates below 40 degrees Celsius in
cloud bursts, or any other natural di- ing their life for it. the Indian legacy stretch out across 7 the mountains and over 55 degrees
saster, soldiers are the ones who step During the event, I was tak- oceans to the other side of the world, Celsius in deserts. It can be deadly
up to help us through our life. They en aback when I learned about the with the level of enthusiasm not a for human beings to tolerate any-
take the initiative and risk their life Kargil War, our courageous soldiers, drop less. At a moment in the event, thing under 11 degrees Celsius and
to give us a hand when we need it their devotion to duty, and their love the audience rose in unison and sa- over 30 degrees Celsius.”
the most, without expecting anything for the Nation. I remember telling luted the soldiers who had sacrificed I don’t think I can ever forget this.
in return. Visiting the soldiers on a my friends how the vibe had taken their lives for their mother country.
high-altitude post, Seema asked over me to experience the war as if I was During a moment in a speech Sanya Gupta is an intern who is going
200 soldiers, “who all are here for the really there. I told my parents that that was being shared in the event, to enter 9th grade in September

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