Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Regional Office and Press Information Bureau (PIB) Bhubaneswar, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas today. The program was organized to pay tribute to the brave martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the nation's freedom, sovereignty, and integrity, as well as to remember their courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
This program was presided by Shri Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General (Odisha and Jharkhand region) of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC). Eminent poet and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award winner Dr. Phani Mohanty attended as the Chief Guest, Brigadier (Dr.) Sarbeswar Satapathy as the Guest of Honor, and Dr. Prasanta Kumar Rout, Principal of Raja Madhusudan Dev Degree College, joined as the Chief Speaker.
Addressing the program, Shri Mishra highlighted the critical importance of communication systems during the Kargil War and in any wartime situation. Sharing his experience in the defence sector as an officer of the Indian Information Service, he stated that during war, it is equally important to counter misinformation as it is to provide accurate information. He emphasized five key aspects of wartime communication: Strategic Communication to Counter Misinformation, Public Relations and Propaganda Management, Winning the Story of War, News Management, and Public Diplomacy. He mentioned that communication officers and media representatives must always prioritize these five aspects to correctly understand and report on war situations. Furthermore, he urged everyone to pass on the lessons learned from the Kargil War to the new generation and to encourage meaningful discussions on the topic.
Sharing his experiences of serving in the CRPF in Jammu during the Kargil War, Guest of Honor Brigadier (Dr.) Sarbeswar Satapathy said that the Kargil victory is not just a military success, but a symbol of the nation's unity, the indomitable courage of the soldiers, and the strong morale of the public. He stated that the dissemination of accurate and positive information plays a vital role in strengthening national consciousness and awakening patriotism among the youth. Remembering the supreme sacrifice of the brave martyrs of Kargil, he called upon everyone to draw inspiration from their ideals.
Chief Guest and eminent poet, Central Sahitya Akademi Award winner Dr. Phani Mohanty, stated in his speech that Kargil Vijay Diwas is an unforgettable symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of Indian soldiers. He emphasized that protecting the nation's sovereignty is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces, but a moral duty of every citizen. He called upon the youth to strengthen the values of patriotism, humanity, and national unity through literature and culture, and to play an active role in nation-building.
Chief Speaker Dr. Prasanta Kumar Rout stated that Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a celebration, but an opportunity to pass on the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of the Indian Armed Forces to the new generation. Remembering the courage and supreme sacrifice of the brave soldiers in the Kargil War, including Captain Vikram Batra, he said that their contribution to protecting the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation will always be remembered. He called upon the youth to draw inspiration from the nation's history and the sacrifices of the brave martyrs to actively participate in nation-building.
Shri Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Bhubaneswar, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the significance of celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas, while Shri Mahendra Kumar Jena, Assistant Director of PIB Bhubaneswar, proposed the vote of thanks, bringing the program to a conclusion.
As part of the program, senior artists from CBC Bhubaneswar performed patriotic songs, evoking a sense of patriotism among the audience. All officers and staff of CBC and PIB Bhubaneswar, along with students, were present on the occasion.
