Thiruvananthapuram: It is yet another Kargil Victory day in the memory of India's war heroes who had sacrificed their lives for the country in 1999 Kargil war.
The memories of Indian Army’s Captain Jerry Prem Raj, a native of Venganoor in Thiruvananthapuram, who was martyred in the 1999 Kargil war, can never fade away.
Serving Indian Army was the dream of Jerry Prem Raj, son of Ratna Raj and Chellathayi who worked as government officials.
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At the age of 17, Jerry was placed in the Indian Air force. His dreams had no end even after 7 years of his service. His ambition then was to be an Indian Military officer. After rigorous training for one year, Jerry got the first posting at Meerut.
The call to get back to duty urgently reached Jerry when he was on his leave for his wedding. Jerry left home on June 3, 1999, and reached straight to the snowclad mountain valleys of Kargil.
Tears roll down his mother’s cheeks even now when she remembers the letters that Jerry wrote filled with words to console her. The letter had reached his parents just two days before the news of his death reached them.
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The words in the letter read (roughly translated), “Dad and Mom, Don’t worry thinking about me. Be proud. I will return after driving the enemies away.”
Jerry was in charge of the country’s fight at Tiger Hill on 9 July 1999. He got severely injured during the fight and succumbed later on the same day.
It was 19 days after Jerry’s heroic death, on July 26, that the Indian army soldiers achieved a total victory, completely evicted Pakistani intruders from our land and hoisted the Indian flag in the Kargil hill.
The valour and courage of Jerry Prem Raj and many such heroes will give strength to each Indian soldier who prepares to fight against the intruders from our neighbouring China and Pakistan, even today.
