Guwahati: Nagaland will on Sunday commemorate the martyrdom day of Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous), with the defence ministry urging people, particularly the youth, to draw inspiration from the Kargil War hero’s life of courage, discipline and selfless service.In a statement, Lt Col Amit Shukla, defence PRO and spokesperson for Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh, described Captain Kenguruse as “a son of the soil” whose sacrifice continues to inspire generations across the country.Born in Nerhema village of Kohima district, Captain Kenguruse was commissioned into the Indian Army before laying down his life during the 1999 Kargil War in the icy heights of Drass, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth.Fighting in one of the toughest battle zones of the conflict, he displayed exceptional courage while leading his men against heavily fortified enemy positions. He was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award.The defence ministry said his journey from a small village in Nagaland to the Kargil battlefield symbolised the contribution of the Northeast to the nation’s security and unity.“For his family, the sacrifice was personal and painful. For his village, it was a moment of deep sorrow mixed with pride. For Nagaland, it became a reminder that the state has given the nation brave sons who stood tall in the most difficult hours. And for India, Captain Kenguruse became a symbol of the unity that binds the country together. A boy from a small village in Kohima district served in the farthest reaches of the north, proving that patriotism knows no geographical limit,” the statement added.The ministry said Captain Kenguruse’s sacrifice was not only a matter of pride for his family and village but also for Nagaland, reminding the nation that soldiers from every region have defended India’s sovereignty in its most difficult moments.The statement urged the younger generation to embrace values such as discipline, integrity, responsibility and selflessness, saying the officer’s legacy extends far beyond the battlefield.“Not every young person will wear a uniform and not everyone is meant for military service. But the values of Captain Kenguruse are needed everywhere. In schools, they mean honesty and hard work. In colleges, they mean focus and responsibility. In public life, they mean integrity. In homes, they mean respect and selflessness. His legacy is not limited to the battlefield. It belongs to every place where courage and character are needed,” the statement said.Calling June 28 more than just a day of remembrance, the ministry said it should serve as “a moral reminder” of the sacrifices made by soldiers in safeguarding the country’s freedom and peace.Captain Kenguruse’s martyrdom is commemorated every year in Nagaland through tributes by the Army, civil administration and citizens, honouring one of the state’s most decorated war heroes.
