Bhubaneswar: In a unique tribute ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas, 674 students from five government schools in Odisha’s Kalahandi district have written handwritten letters to the families of soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. The initiative, conceived by the office of Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, aims to instill patriotism, gratitude and civic responsibility among students while preserving the memory of the nation’s martyrs.
The participating institutions included Government Higher Secondary School, Bhatangpadar; Government Higher Secondary School, Sagada; PM SHRI Municipal Government High School, Bhawanipatna; Manikeswari High School, Bhawanipatna; and Government Girls’ High School, Bhawanipatna.
According to an official statement, each student addressed a letter to the family of a specific Kargil martyr, mentioning the soldier by name and regiment rather than writing a general message. The letters, written in the students’ own words and handwriting, conveyed gratitude, respect and remembrance for the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers in defence of the country.
The initiative is part of the office of MP Sujeet Kumar’s ongoing engagement with schools in Kalahandi and other areas to promote civic awareness and strengthen students’ understanding of national service. While the Kargil War took place before these students were born, the exercise sought to connect them with one of the defining chapters of India’s military history and encourage meaningful reflection on the sacrifices made by the armed forces.
The MP’s office said such initiatives help bridge the gap between young citizens and the country’s military legacy by giving students an opportunity to express their appreciation for the armed forces and solidarity with the families of the martyrs. It added that fostering patriotism, gratitude and a sense of national service through everyday school activities remains central to Sujeet Kumar’s approach to civic education.
The initiative has been welcomed by school authorities and local communities, who described it as a valuable contribution to students’ civic and moral education and a fitting tribute to the Kargil martyrs.
The campaign has also been extended beyond classrooms through “Ek Khat Vatan Ke Naam”, a digital platform launched by the office of MP Sujeet Kumar. The platform enables citizens across the country to write and send messages of gratitude and remembrance to the families of Kargil martyrs, broadening the tribute beyond schools and encouraging wider public participation.
