Mangaluru: The Sanchalana organisation celebrated the Kargil Vijay Divas programme by planting 527 tree saplings on the premises of the District Offices Complex here on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Gilbert Braganza, president of Ex Servicemen’s Association, said that 527 soldiers had lost their lives in preventing intrusion in Kargil by Pakistan in 1999. Hence, the association was paying its tributes to the soldiers of the country who had lost their lives defending its borders.

The Indian Army had successfully foiled the intrusion in Kargil. India had never invaded any country. The youth of South Indian States were more interested in professional courses.

But they should think of joining the Army as a career option, he said. Prem Prasad Shetty, president of Sanchalana organisation, said that Sanchalana had been organising this programme for the last four years in different parts of the State to highlight the sacrifices and valour of soldiers and to pay tributes to them.

“The planting of 527 saplings in their memory will remind the people of the sacrifices of the soldiers and also contribute for protection of environment here,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO of Zilla Panchayat Shivananda Kapashi and Assistant Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports Roshan Kumar Shetty were present. Students and youth participated in the programme and also in planting saplings.

The Swachch Bharat Friends, Spandana Seva Samsthe, and Lions Club – Santhekatte, organised the Kargil Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial at Ajjarkad, here.