St Anthony’s College, Shillong Honours Valiant Martyr Alumni

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: St Anthony’s College, Shillong on Friday paid tributes to martyrs who were alumni of the institution on the occasion of Kargil Diwas.

The 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas is being celebrated across the country today. The day marks the victory of the armed forces in Operation Vijay in 1999 when they evicted the Pakistani Army in the Kargil sector. It may be mentioned that the college had produced three students who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.

The three were Capt Keishing Clifford Nongrum, Major David Manlum and Deputy Superintendent of Police Raymond Diengdoh. Capt Clifford Nongrum, was an Army officer of the 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award, for exemplary valour in combat during operations in the Kargil War.

Major David Manlun, was martyred while fighting militants on June 6, 2017. He was given the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for his outstanding grit, determination, leadership and supreme sacrifice.

While Raymond Diengdoh, Meghalaya Deputy Superintendent of Police, was killed by HNLC militants in Ri-Bhoi district. He was awarded the Ashok Chakra. On the occasion of Kargil Diwas, St Anthony’s College organized a commemorative function of Capt Clifford Nongrum.

Retired professor of the college, Manash Dasgupta while addressing the gathering in the college campus quoting former Prime Minister Late Jawaharlal Nehru said, “Challenges are beckoning us to let us respond to it”.

He also said that in the present age, the country is fighting enemies from within and casualties of the forces are high. Brigadier, PM Bali who also spoke on the occasion said that the nation should celebrate the heroes who laid down their lives for the nation. “A nation becomes strong only if we honour our heroes,” Brigadier said. He also said that a nation that does not worship its heroes vanishes from the map of the world.

Also Read: Week-long events to celebrate ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ by Sashastra Seema Bal in Sarupathar