Mangaluru: A Vanamahotsava (tree plantation drive) was organised at the Mundaje Kargil Vana in Belthangady on the occasion of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Sunday. Spread across nearly four acres, the memorial forest is home to more than 800 trees planted in the names of soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War.The programme was inaugurated by Shantilal Jatia, of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who planted a sapling along with members of his team. Speaking on the occasion, retired Colonel Nitin Bhide, a Kargil War veteran, said that true respect for the soldiers guarding the nation’s borders and their sacrifices would be shown only when every Indian performs his or her duty responsibly.A three-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs. Retired Major General MV Bhat and retired Indian Navy officer Krishna Bhat planted Kadamba saplings as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. Several people from the village participated. Lata G Bhide and her son Sachin Bhide, the driving forces behind the Kargil Vana initiative, felicitated the guests and expressed their gratitude to all those who attended the programme.
