JAMMU, Nov 3: The Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha (DBPS), Chankaya Chowk, Parade, on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, on his death anniversary.
The brave soldier laid down his life while defending the motherland during the 1947 tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir. His courage and leadership played a crucial role in repulsing the Pakistani tribal attack on November 3, 1947.
DBPS President Ved Parkash Sharma, along with other members, paid floral tributes to the martyr during a programme organised at the Sabha premises. Several speakers recalled the extraordinary courage, patriotism and supreme sacrifice of Major Somnath Sharma, describing him as a source of inspiration for generations.
Addressing the gathering, Ved Parkash Sharma said the martyr’s qualities and sacrifice were a matter of national pride. He highlighted that the entire family of Major Somnath Sharma had a tradition of serving in the Indian Army, setting an inspiring example of dedication and commitment towards the nation.
DBPS Chairman P.C. Sharma, former Deputy Commissioner B.S. Jamwal, NMC President Subash Shastri and Bawa Bhair Dev Sathan Trust General Secretary Ramesh Sharma also paid tributes to the brave soldier.
They stressed the need to follow his ideals and urged that the history and contributions of Dogra warriors should be included in the educational syllabus. They also appealed to the youth to draw inspiration from the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Senior BJP leader and Tawi Andolan President Advocate Chander Mohan Sharma emphasised the importance of educating the younger generation about the glorious history of India’s brave soldiers. He also demanded that Srinagar Airport be named after Major Somnath Sharma in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the nation.
Among those present on the occasion were N.C. Sharma, M.L. Sharma, Jagannath Sharma, M.L. Padha, Sunil Sharma, Soujanya Sharma, K.L. Sharma, Shiv Ram Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Gurdas Sharma, Davinder Sharma (Baboo), Ritiz Khajuria, Surrinder Sharma, Girdhari Lal Sharma, Kewal Sharma, Prem Balotra, Raman Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Nithin Dharmat, Ved Parkash Padha, Sham Lal Misra, Satish Sharma, Surrinder Singh Choudhary, B.B. Seth, Sukhdev Sharma (Billu), Ram Rattan and Nitin Sharma, besides representatives of various social organisations.
The Sabha members appealed to citizens to uphold national unity, solidarity and sovereignty while remembering the sacrifices of the country’s brave soldiers.