Mangalore: The district Ex-servicemen’s Association gathered at the war memorial built in memory of martyrs at Kadri here on Saturday July 26, to celebrate the 15th anniversary or Vijay Diwas of Kargil war.

Noted social activists, people from various organizations and the general public assembled before the war memorial, and lighting candles, paid reverence to the martyrs.

The then commanding officer at Kargil, Brigadier T N Rai addressed the audience on the occasion and expressed his views on patriotism.

He also made a point to that the generation these days are not passionate to join the defence forces. He also lamented that due to financial issues Sainik Bhavan has not yet built which must be established in future. The construction of the Sainik Bhavan currently under way is in need of funds, he said.

According to Col N Sharath Bhandary, president of district Ex-servicemen Association, they have managed to collect Rs 35 lac so far. Out of the Rs 1.5 crore earmarked for the Bhavan, Rs 9 lac has been received from the MLA fund and the remaining Rs 26 lac from the public. The association is mulling to inaugurate the building on December 16 this year.

The association issued pamphlets to the public, appealing for donations for the completion of the work.