Latest news with #SaurabhKalia
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
A salute to Captain Saurabh Kalia's courage and fight for justice
Only 22, Captain Saurabh Kalia didn't get to write his own story, but The Legacy of Captain Saurabh Kalia: Kargil's First War Hero aims to preserve it for him. The writers, Sreemati Sen and NK Kalia, indeed do a good job! Captain Saurabh Kalia is hailed as the first officer to report intrusion by the Pakistan Army in the Kargil region, in 1999. From moments of a quiet childhood lived in Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) to the brutal events in Kargil, in May 1999, the book traces the life journey of this martyr. The first half charmingly narrates how a young boy used to once indulge in birdwatching along the Neugal river, and play chess at home with his brother (Vaibhav). These were the days of childhood spent at a home where he imbibed the crucial lessons of discipline and dream from his father, Dr NK Kalia, a scientist, and his mother Vijay Kalia, a government employee. The story tightens by the time Saurabh joins the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and earns his commission in the 4 Jat Regiment. And then, it breaks. The words make the reader time travel to May 15, 1999. Just before the news of Kargil War reached civilians, Saurabh and five fellow soldiers on this date had ventured out for a reconnaissance mission to Bajrang Post; which had been quietly infiltrated by Pakistani troops. Captain Saurabh and his patrolling party never returned. What followed was 22 days of Pakistani captivity and, as revealed later in the post-mortem reports, unthinkable torture. It was a horror that no parent should ever be asked to imagine. And yet, Dr Kalia was. The tension through the book is palpable, as can be seen from this one excerpt: 'Vaibhav met his father's gaze, then turned to his mother. He took a breath, his hands trembling slightly. 'Mummy... Papa...' he began. 'There is an article... about a missing army patrol...' He paused, unable to continue. Robo's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in fear. 'They have... they have mentioned Bhaiya's name.'' It's the kind of line you never forget. And this book is full of them. But then there is hope at the end, when the narrative shifts from being a biography to a testimony. The Kalias, true fighters just like their son, turn down their grief into a mission by setting up Saurabh Van Vihar, building memorials, writing letters, speaking to the press, and demanding accountability. Even 26 years later, Dr NK Kalia has not stopped fighting. On what would have been his son's 49th birthday this year, the 78-year-old scientist continues to press for Pakistan's accountability at the International Court of Justice for violating the Geneva Conventions. Because for him, this isn't about revenge. It's about memory. And this review isn't just about a book, but a way of saying: My son lived, my son mattered, and I will not let you forget. Title: The Legacy of Captain Saurabh Kalia Author: Sreemati Sen and NK Kalia Publisher: Penguin Veer Price: ₹399 For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
The Print
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Kargil martyr Capt Kalia remembered, father's quest for justice continues 26 years on
Kalia, a retired senior scientist from the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), says he has full faith in the country's political leadership and judicial system and hopes those responsible for the heinous crime will be held accountable. On what would have been his 49th birthday today, the enduring legacy of Captain Kalia was brought to the fore again by his 78-year-old father Dr N N Kalia, as he fights for justice over his son's brutal treatment in the custody of Pakistan. New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Twenty-six years after Kargil War hero Captain Saurabh Kalia was brutally tortured and killed by the Pakistani forces, his father remains committed in his quest to drag Pakistan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of the Geneva Convention. 'His unmatchable martyrdom in this unique way awoke the whole sleepy nation, lit the patriotic fire in the country and had a catalytic effect on the entire armed forces,' recalls the father. Lt Saurabh Kalia, belonging to the 4-Jat regiment, had gone with five soldiers for a reconnaissance mission in Kaksar in Kargil in the third week of May 1999. The team went missing and the first news of their disappearance was broadcast on Askardu radio in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The bodies of Lt Saurabh, who was made captain posthumously, and his team — sepoys Arjun Ram, Banwar Lal, Bhikaram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh — were handed over to India on June 9. The next day, on June 10, PTI broke the story about Pakistan's tale of barbarism. The bodies were without their vital parts, eyeballs gouged out and noses, ears and genitals chopped off. This kind of ruthlessness had never been witnessed in the history of armed conflicts between the two countries and India had expressed its outrage over the mutilation and disfigurement of its army personnel and termed it a 'violation of international conventions'. Despite the passage of time, the family feels anything but alone. 'People have given us so much love and respect,' the senior Kalia said while acknowledging the overwhelming support from across India and even abroad. He said the family receives letters and calls from visitors expressing their eagerness to learn more about the Kargil martyr. The museum in his memory has been established at their Palampur residence and it draws approximately 600-800 visitors annually, including many tourists who have heard of Captain Kalia's story. 'Unknown people say that they have heard so much about Captain Kalia. Now that we have come here, it is good,' he said to highlight the lasting impact of his son's sacrifice. Captain Kalia's younger brother, Vaibhav Kalia, a faculty member in Computer Sciences at Agriculture University, Palampur, also spoke of the unwavering public memory. 'People have not forgotten their martyrs,' he says, noting the enthusiasm among children at the event. Vaibhav Kalia's own family is upholding Captain Kalia's legacy. His elder son is pursuing a BSc in Agriculture and is involved in NCC, while his younger son, Vyomesh, harbours a keen interest in joining the armed forces and plans to appear for the NDA exam. 'I will be very happy if my two kids at least give an honest try to join the armed forces,' he said. Captain Kalia's mother, though deeply private in her grief, remains 'very brave' and immensely proud of her son, according to Vaibhav. Before leaving for his duty, Capt Kalia uttered his prophetic last words to his mother over phone 'Maa tum dekhna ek din aisa kaam kar jaunga, ki saari duniya mein mera naam hoga (Mother, you will see one day I will do such a deed that the whole world will acknowledge that)'. This promise, tragically fulfilled through his ultimate sacrifice, is sustained not only by his grieving family and the consistent tributes from the Indian Army but also by a continuous stream of visitors to the family's dedicated museum. Although the pursuit of justice for his handling in Pakistani custody is still a complicated diplomatic issue, the Kalia family derives huge solace from the unflinching public love and admiration, guaranteeing Captain Kalia's tale of bravery and nationalism continues to motivate fresh generations, including his nephews who dream of becoming members of the armed forces. Kalia had filed a petition in 2012 under Article 32 of the Constitution (the right to constitutional remedies, specifically the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights). He had requested a directive to the government to seek proper legal redress, including approaching the International Court of Justice, against Pakistan for the heinous violations of the Geneva Convention. The Geneva Convention talks about the treatment of Prisoners of War under the rights and protections POWs which includes humane treatment, specifies conditions of detention, and providing food, clothing and medical care. The convention also prohibits torture, violence, and other forms of mistreatment. The petition also pointed out that Captain Kalia and his men suffered more than two weeks of unparalleled brutal torture before their bodies were transferred on June 9, 1999, a barbarism attested by the postmortem report of June 11, 1999. In spite of the unimaginable suffering, they did not crack, displaying patriotism, strength, courage and perseverance that still makes the whole nation proud. PTI SKL RT RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
