Remembering Nation's Heroes this day ! ~ Kargil Diwas !!

Earlier it was known as  Purig ~   the  Suru River,  a 185 kilometres (115 mi) long river, that originates from the Panzella glacier enriches it – it is the place in news and apt to be remembered by the entire Nation today – 26th July !

For those who feel cold Chennai is cold in December / January  – life is far far different ! . .. its landscape is mountainous, rugged, and high, the minimum elevation being some 8,000 feet (2,440 metres). The climate is cold and dry, with scanty precipitation that falls mainly as snow in winter. One locality, Dras (Drass), is reputed to be one of the world’s coldest permanently inhabited places, with winter temperatures falling to as low as −40 °F (−40 °C) or colder. Vegetation, mainly grasses and shrubs, is largely confined to river valleys at lower elevations, as the higher places are rocky and largely barren.  It is Kargil.

We have seen Cine heroes donning role of  Army Jawans and applaud them too –  the Nation needs to read and know more about the real heroes who protect the Nation.   In our history books, we have read about 3 battles of Panipat, Plassey, Arcot and more ….. the text books should have the battles of  Tololing  and Kargil ! ~  the Nation today pays homage to the jawans who sacrificed their lives in the 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of Maa Bharati. On this occasion, my salute to all the brave sons of the country who have accomplished their valour in the defense of the motherland. 

If you can't be a Soldier, help a Soldier. If you can't fight at the border, fight the chaos in your neighbourhood. If you can't nurse a soldier's wound, wipe the tears of his family members. If you can’t feed a soldier, pray he sleeps indoors tonight. If you can’t thank him personally, thank his parents. If you can’t help him get back, make sure his body gets home, with all due respect and much more. If you can’t be a soldier, thank them everyday. If you can’t be a soldier, encourage your child to be one. If you can't be a Soldier, learn to at least respect one.

 

Saluting the heroes of this Mahan Bharat – Remembering Kargil.

Jai Jawan – Jai Hind

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
26.7.2026
  

Aeroplane landing at Chennai

 

Control room message to Pilot : 

வரலாம் வா ! வரலாம் வா !  - அப்படியே கொஞ்சம் நன்னா ரயிட்டுல ஓடிச்சு கொஞ்சம் விலகி வா !!

Monkeys chose to ignore the King Lion !!

 

சோம்பி இருக்கும் போதும், காலம் கடந்த போதும் –

சிங்கத்தை குரங்குகளும் கூட  மதிப்பதில்லை !!! 

Taken at Melukote Thirunarayanapuram a few years ago !

Iruttukadai halwada ! Tirunelveli Halwa da !!

 

Famous Tirunelveli Halwa @ Iruttukadai

 

Tirunelveli Halwa is a legendary   dessert famous for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich ghee flavor. Made from slow-cooked wheat milk, sugar, and generous amounts of ghee, its unique taste is traditionally attributed to the mineral-rich waters of the Thamirabarani River. 

Interestingly though there are so many shops in Tirunelveli (available in every place these days!) – there is one shop where crowds throng -   the century-old Iruttu Kadai Halwa (meaning "Dark Shop"), located near the Sri Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli.  

The shops opens only 5 pm and understand that will be closed sooner once the stock of the day is sold !!  Just see the queue waiting in front of this shop.  :  https://youtu.be/N-pUtjPv8j0

 

.. .. .. any reference to Tirunelveli Halwa would take you to that famous Vikram song from ‘Saami’ – but here is another    பழமையான தமிழ் பாடல் "வண்டே அல்வா துண்டே" (Vandey Halwa Thunde) from 'குசுமலதா' [Kusumalatha]released in 1951 sung by JB Chandrababu and MR Shakunthala 

Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
23.7.2026