Celina Jaitly Pays Tribute To Father And Grandfather On Kargil Vijay Diwas

News18

26-07-2025

On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Celina Jaitly paid tribute to her late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitley, and her grandfather, Colonel E. Francis, who served during the Kargil War.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is a special day in India's history, as it honours the bravery of soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil War. For many families, this day brings back memories of sacrifice and courage. Actress Celina Jaitly feels this personally, as most of the men in her family were part of the war. On this important day, she paid tribute to her late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitley, and her grandfather, Colonel E. Francis, who served during the conflict. Celina was just a child when the war happened and she remembers how difficult it was for her and her brother while their family members were away in the valley.
Speaking with Hindustan Times, the actress, remembering her father, said, 'A 1971 war veteran and an infantryman from the Kumaon Regiment, during the Kargil War, although not deployed at the front, I believe he was involved from base control, playing a role in coordination, communication, and logistics. I was a teenager then and as a daughter, I carry his legacy in pieces, but each one carries immense weight. I saw the weight he carried each day, and throughout his life as an infantryman."
'What I remember most vividly are the blank stares of parents at their sons' funerals, the gut-wrenching sobs of young wives/children who had just lost their husbands. It wasn't just news, it was pain that hung thick in the air, something we witnessed up close with immense heartache. Every home in the Army circle felt it. Every radio transmission, every phone call from the front, we lived and breathed it with a lump in our throats," Celina Jaitly recalled.
Vijay Diwas Celebrations
Even after 26 years, the memories of the Kargil War feel fresh for Celina Jaitly, as her family still remembers the fear and stress every day. Each phone call from an unknown number left them worried, as if they were standing on the battlefield too. Every update from the war felt personal, and every soldier lost felt like someone from their own family. As per the actress, today, when the nation honours Kargil heroes, Celina feels proud as a daughter and granddaughter of soldiers.
Speaking about the war's impact on her brother, Celina Jaitly said he 'was still in school during Kargil, but the war left a deep impact on him. It shaped his life's path, and he went on to join the Indian Army and serve as a Para SF officer. That sense of duty, born of pain and pride, ran deep in our family."
Celina Jaitly's Army Background
The actress shared that her grandfather, Colonel E. Francis, was part of the Rajputana Rifles and fought in the 1962 war. He was injured during the battle with China but remained strong and brave. Even her great-grandfather served in the Army Education Corps and was a veteran of World War 1. For Celina and her family, the Kargil War was not just a national event; it was personal for them.
The Kargil War happened in 1999 between India and Pakistan. The fight took place in the high mountains of Kargil, in Jammu and Kashmir. The war went on for around 60 days. It was a tough battle, where many brave Indian soldiers lost their lives, but in the end, India won.
First Published:
July 26, 2025, 14:06 IST
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