Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026: Raksha Mantri Flags Off Shaurya Vijay Yatra with Riders on Jawa and Yezdi Motorcycles
To mark the nationwide commemoration of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged off the ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’ from the National War Memorial, New Delhi, with riders undertaking the 13-day expedition on Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles. With the motto ‘One Ride, One Nation, One Salute’, the 1,900-km expedition will see 28 riders, including serving and retired defence personnel, and their family members, travel to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh. The expedition will honour the courage, resolve, and supreme sacrifice of the Indian bravehearts who ensured victory in the 1999 Kargil War.
The ride will pass through the Chandimandir, Rezang La, and the Leh War Memorials before culminating at the Kargil War Memorial on 26 July 2026. The expedition will carry an urn containing sacred soil from the National War Memorial to Kargil to symbolise the valour of the many generations of the nation’s war heroes. The riders will also felicitate Veer Naris for their resilience.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India; General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff; and General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff, along with senior military officials, veterans, and invited guests. With the National Cadet Corps in attendance, the occasion conveyed to India’s youth the importance of honouring India’s gallant soldiers in their memories and by upholding the values of duty, honour, and selfless service.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the Indian soldiers whose courage and endurance upheld the honour of the Tricolour in the Kargil War. He described the victory as a symbol of India’s enduring resolve to protect its land and identity, and remembered the contributions of Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd), and Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Sanjay Kumar (Retd).
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles initiated this tribute ride in 2021 to bring the motorcycling community closer to the inspiring stories of India's valiant soldiers and their service to the nation. Over the years, it has evolved into a tradition that honours the spirit of fearlessness, sacrifice, and national pride.
Anupam Thareja, Co-founder, Classic Legends, said, "Shaurya Vijay Yatra is our way of remembering the heroes of Kargil and their families. We started this tribute with the belief that remembering their sacrifices and being grateful is a shared responsibility. Through this journey, we remain committed to keeping their memories alive for future generations. Alongside the Indian Army, we are honoured to undertake this tribute and pay homage to our bravehearts."
Every kilometre of the Shaurya Vijay Yatra 2026 serves as a reminder that the freedom to ride, travel, and dream is safeguarded by generations of soldiers who chose the nation above themselves.
