‘Modi’s Visit Raised The Josh of Wounded Soldiers’: On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Maj Gen Vijay Joshi (Retd) Recalls A Memory from 1999

On the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Major General Vijay Joshi (retd), who served as the commandant of the Military Command Hospital in Udhampur, recalled on Friday an important visit by Narendra Modi, then BJP national general secretary, during the war, to meet injured and weary soldiers.

The hospital, the largest in the Northern Command, was at the forefront of providing care to the sick and wounded soldiers during the Kargil War.

“Narendra Modi’s visit raised the josh of the soldiers,” Maj Gen Joshi recalled. “Despite the gravity of the situation, Narendra Modi’s presence had a profoundly calming effect on the soldiers. He interacted with each one, putting them at ease, and significantly raising their spirits. There were many casualties, some were critically injured and others were in relatively stable condition. He made it a point to focus on each individual. He was calm, composed, and full of energy, or ‘josh’, at the same time.”

Maj Gen Joshi said that Narendra Modi’s “ability to relate to the soldiers was remarkable,” recalling how they felt at ease as he enquired about their families, homes, and any specific needs they had.

“His approach included a lot of personal touch, which was highly appreciated,” the retired officer said. “What stood out was Narendra Modi’s unique ability to put everyone at ease in such difficult circumstances. This included not only the injured soldiers but also the hospital staff. He assured everyone of the support they needed, which went a long way in raising their morale.”

According to the officer, Narendra Modi’s presence exuded true patriotism. “This sense of national support is crucial for maintaining their morale. Knowing that the government and the people are always with them, even in the toughest times, motivates them to give their best in the line of duty,” he said.

One of the key aspects of Modi’s visit was his interest in both the specific details of the battles and the personal situations of the soldiers and their families. Despite not holding any administrative post at that time, he accompanied the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to see the ground realities. His goal was to understand the operational situation as well as the conditions affecting individual soldiers. This included assessing the support system in place, such as the Army hospital’s patient care.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage at the Kargil War Memorial during a visit to Dras.