On July 26, to mark the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Lt Colonel Barsha Rai completed a 160-km run from Srinagar to Drass, honoring soldiers' sacrifices.
Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and to honor the occasion, an extraordinary feat was accomplished by a former army officer. Lt Colonel Barsha Rai (Retd) ran 160 kilometers from Srinagar to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, completing the grueling journey in just four days.
Lt Colonel Barsha Rai, who was commissioned into the Army Service Corps in March 2010, undertook this remarkable run to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil conflict. Her journey began on July 19 and concluded on July 22. She covered approximately 40 kilometers each day, traversing challenging terrain and high altitudes, including the daunting Zojila Pass at 11,649 feet. Accompanied at various stretches by the Chinar Warriors marathon team, Rai's determination and physical endurance were evident throughout her run.
Rai’s run was not just a personal challenge but a tribute to the valor of the soldiers. "This run was a respect to the indomitable spirit of the soldiers who fought valiantly during the Kargil War, as well as a personal journey for me," she said. Her efforts aim to raise awareness about the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces, connecting her own family’s military legacy to the broader narrative of national heroism.
A fourth-generation army officer, Lt Col Rai's commitment to honoring her family's tradition of service and the sacrifices of the Kargil heroes is truly commendable. Her run culminated at the Kargil War Memorial, where she paid her respects to the martyrs who have inspired her lifelong dedication to the nation.
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