Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS) celebrated Haifa Victory Day today to pay respect to gallant Indian soldiers who showed their valour during Ist World War.
Maj Gen (Retd) S K Sharma, President FANS J&K, welcomed all the guests and stressed on the importance of carrying out activities to impart nationalism and patriotism among the citizens, especially the youth.
Dr Nirmal Singh, former Dy Chief Minister, J&K and chief guest of the function gave the historical perspective of the event in a very systematic way. He called upon the society to learn from such events and participate to take the nation to newer heights. He said that our culture and tradition was destroyed with a planned manner and need is to carry out our tradition and culture among people.
Maj Gen (Retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, presided over the function. He became emotional while recounting the contributions of the brave Dogra soldiers and especially of JAK Rifles or Indian Army. He also recounted the days he spent with Maharaja Hari Singh during 1954.
Brig (Retd) Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman, Vice-President FANS, was the main resource person. He highlighted details of the complete operation at Haifa. He said that the British Forces during 1st World War, suffered heavy causalities while trying to capture Haifa, a vital port city in Israel. That time, the Indian troops were called, who with their gallant actions librated Haifa.
Advocate Prem Sadotra, General Secretary FANS and Dinesh Gupta, General Secretary cum Treasure delivered the vote of thanks.
Lalit Aggarwal, Vice President FANS along with other functionaries, Opinder Sharma, Advocate Gourav Jamwal, Ravinder Jamwal, MP Singh Palli, Deepak Sharma, Diwakar Sharma and Deepali Sharma provided all the logistic and administrative help ..
Prominent personalities of Jammu, who attended the function, included Parshotam Dadhichi, Kshetriya Vayevastha Pramukh, RSS; Advocate Raghu Mehta, Member SMVDSB, Lt Gen (Retd) Rakesh Sharma and Dr Sudershan Sharma, former DG DRDO.