Sky lamps lit in memory of immortal warriors in Varanasi, continuation of 25 years of tradition

Varanasi, 18 October (Hindustan Reporter). Sky lamps were lit on Friday evening at Dashashwamedhghat by Ganga Seva Nidhi in memory of the immortal martyrs. Following the tradition of 25 years, the martyrdom of the brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice for the country was remembered on the banks of Uttaravahini Patit Pavani Ganga. 39 GTC soldiers saluted the martyrs and lit sky lamps. On behalf of Nidhi, a sky lamp was lit at the ghat in the name of famous Indian industrialist and social worker Ratan Naval Tata. Sky lamps will be lit at the ghat for the entire month of Kartik.

Before this the program started with Ganpati Vandana and patriotic songs. Prof. Revati Sakalkar presented a song based on patriotism in the program after paying homage to the founder of the fund, Smritishesh Pt. Satyendra Mishra. He was accompanied by Pritam Mishra on tabla and Pankaj Mishra on harmonium. Chairman of Ganga Seva Nidhi, Sushant Mishra said that in the year 1999, on the victory of Kargil war, the fund had expanded the Akash Deep resolution and given it a national form in memory of the immortal martyrs. The organization lights the Akash Deep throughout the month of Kartik in the memory of the immortal brave warriors of India. The Akash Deep is concluded with the grand Dev-Diwali Mahotsav organized by the fund dedicated to spirituality and nationalism. India's brave warriors are also honored with “Bhagirath Shaurya Samman”. He said that Rs 1 lakh each will be given to the martyred family members by the Nidhi family for assistance.

—Tradition of lighting sky lamps in memory of ancestors

According to Sushant Mishra, for centuries there has been a tradition in Kashi of lighting sky lamps on the Ganga ghats in memory of our ancestors to illuminate the path of their journey to heaven. There is a belief in the stories related to the sky lamp that in the month of Kartik, Bhishma had dedicated lamps to the warriors who sacrificed their lives in the Mahabharata war.

It is believed that there is no month like Kartik month, there is no era like Satyayuga, there is no scripture like the Vedas and there is no other pilgrimage like Ganga. And this sky lamp burning in the month of Kartik on the banks of Ganga is a symbol of how bright is the light of reverence in our hearts for our martyrs.

-Akash lamps lit in the name of these immortal warriors

Amarveer warrior of the country, 136 battalion CRPF martyr Vinod Kumar Yadav Guwahati, martyr Ramesh Yadav of 61 battalion CRPF, martyred Indian Army Colonel MN Rai, Lieutenant Colonel JR Chitnis AC, R.P. on behalf of Ganga Seva Nidhi at Dashashwamedh Ghat. FK Martyr Kritarthnath, Martyr Surendra Lal Srivastava, 11 Battalion NDRF. Sky lamps were lit in the name of martyr Ravi Sharma, martyr Sonu Yadav, founder of the organization Smritishesh Pt. Satyendra Mishra.

-His presence

Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari, Air Officer Commanding, 4th Air Force Selection Board, Varanasi Air Commodore Kunal Kala, 39 GTC, Varanasi Brigadier Colonel K. M. Singh, DIG of 11th Corps, NDRF Varanasi. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Commandant of 95 Battalion, CRPF, Varanasi, Rajeshwar Balapurkar, RPF. (NER) Varanasi Commandant S. Ramakrishnan had a special presence.