Veer Gatha Project 4.0

The Veer Gatha Project, launched under the Gallantry Awards Portal of India, is an initiative aimed at promoting the stories of bravery and valour among students across the country. The project’s first three editions saw enthusiastic participation, encouraging students to explore the tales of gallantry awardees and express their admiration through creative means such as essays, paintings, and multimedia presentations. The fourth edition, Veer Gatha 4.0, continues this legacy, fostering a spirit of patriotism and respect for the armed forces among the youth. Brigadier Umesh Singh Bawa, VrC, SM, a highly decorated officer, is known for his exceptional bravery during the Kargil War under Operation Vijay. His inspiring leadership and courage have made a lasting impact on the nation. On 15th October 2024, Salwan Public School, Gurugram, had the honour of hosting Brigadier Bawa, VrC, SM, for an interaction with the students of Salwan Public School and other students who joined virtually for the event, as part of the CBSE Veer Gatha Project 4.0. The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment, followed by a warm welcome from the school’s Principal, Ms. Rashmi Malik. In her address, she emphasized the significance of the Veer Gatha Project in instilling values of patriotism among students. She then invited Brigadier Umesh Singh Bawa to share his experiences and stories of Kargil war with the young audience. Brigadier Bawa shared captivating and inspiring stories from the Kargil War. He recounted harrowing moments, such as an instance when he accidentally caught fire while close to the enemy and stories of courageous soldiers who put their lives on the line, displaying unparalleled bravery. He also discussed the ethos of the Indian Army, highlighting the importance of “Naam, Namak, and Nishaan” (honour, loyalty, and emblem) for a soldier. Students were deeply moved by Brigadier Bawa’s accounts and took away valuable lessons on courage, determination, and patriotism. Following his talk, a question-and-answer interactive session was held, where students from Salwan Public School and other schools connected virtually had the opportunity to ask Brigadier Bawa various questions. His responses were thoughtful and motivating, offering deep insights into the life of a brave soldier. The event concluded with closing remarks from the school’s director, Maj. Gen Surinder Singh, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.), who appreciated Brigadier Bawa’s valuable contribution as a Gallantry Awardee. Additionally, the school successfully submitted class-wise entries for the Veer Gatha Project 4.0, including poems, multimedia presentations, paintings, and posters, on the MyGov platform. Overall, the event was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on the students, who were inspired to embrace the values of bravery and patriotism exemplified by Brigadier Bawa and the Indian Armed Forces.