Vijay Path: The Footsteps of Immortality

As you walk upon Vijay Path, know that you tread where heroes once stood. This pathway, stretching from the memorial’s main gate to the Cenotaph, is lined with busts of eight Bravehearts—soldiers who were posthumously awarded India’s gallantry honors: the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) - India’s second-highest gallantry award and the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) - India’s highest gallantry award. Maha Vir Chakra Awardees - 1. The bust which is right next to the QR code is that of Captain N. Kengurusay of 2 Rajputana Rifles – He led his men barefoot in freezing cold during a daring assault on Black Rock in the Dras sector and neutralized an enemy machine gun before making the ultimate sacrifice. For his selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 2. The bust placed right opposite is that of Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum of 12 JAK LI – A fearless warrior who led his troops in the fierce battle for Point 4812 in Batalik, engaging in hand-to-hand combat and eliminated enemy soldiers before succumbing to his wounds. Capt Nongrum displayed exemplary courage and bravery and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 3. If you move further ahead toward the Cenotaph, on the left side the next bust is of Major Vivek Gupta of 2 Rajputana Rifles – He led the charge on Tololing Top in Dras sector, eliminating enemy soldiers despite multiple bullet wounds, fighting till his last breath. For his gallant act and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 4. The bust placed directly opposite to this one is of Captain Anuj Nayyar of 17 Jat Regiment – He took over command during the attack on Pimple 2 in Muskoh sector, destroying enemy positions with a rocket launcher before falling to an enemy RPG. For his conspicuous act of courage and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 5. Further ahead on the Vijay Path towards the Cenotaph, on the right side you will come across the bust of Major Padmapani Acharya of 2 Rajputana Rifles – He spearheaded the assault on Three Pimples, in Dras sector, during which he sustained fatal injuries. For his exemplary courage and bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 6. If you look towards the opposite side of this bust, on the other side of the road , you will come across the bust of Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari of 18 Grenadiers – This gallant officer led his men in capturing heavily fortified enemy positions at Tololing in Dras sector, engaging in close combat despite sustaining grievous injuries before making the supreme sacrifice. For his exemplary courage and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. And now we move ahead on the Vijay Path towards the Cenotaph to honour the Param Vir Chakra awardees, each a symbol of exceptional valour Param Vir Chakra Awardees - 1. The last bust placed towards the left side of the Vijay Path is that of Captain Manoj Pandey of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles – he led the charge up Khalubar Top in Batalik Sector, pushing forward despite enemy fire. With unwavering resolve, he led his men to victory but made the supreme sacrifice in the process. This falling hero etched his words in the anals of history, "If death strikes before I prove my blood, I swear, I will kill death!" 2. Moving towards the last bust closest to the Cenotaph and to the right side of the Vijay Path is that of Captain Vikram Batra of 13 Jammu n Kashmir Rifles – His immortal words, "Yeh Dil Maange More!", still echo in the mountains where he led the victorious assault on Point 4875 in Mushkoh Valley, a beacon of bravery till his last breath. Here, on Vijay Path, Each step you take is an ode to their courage, each heartbeat a silent salute to their sacrifice, that shall remain etched in the annals of history. “On icy heights, they stood so tall, For the motherland… they gave their all.”