A dedicated national campaign to honor military personnel serving in extreme and hostile border regions has successfully concluded in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh. Honorary Colonel Parvati Jangid Suthar, chairperson of 'Youth Parliament of India' and hailing from Jodhpur, traversed 3100 kilometers across demanding frontier outposts. Over the course of a 21-day expedition, she personally tied handcrafted protective threads on approximately 3750 soldiers deployed on frontlines, while also honoring 71 military formations and units for their distinguished devotion to duty.
Inauguration of the 35th Bharat Raksha Parv in Delhi
The mission was conducted under the banner of "Surakshit Seema-Samarth Bharat, 35th Bharat Raksha Parv Yatra-2026". The journey officially commenced on August 28 in Delhi, where the ceremony began with tying a Rakshasutra on Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani. Following this formal start, Parvati Jangid traveled through remote frontline regions across Ladakh, interacting closely with personnel from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Homage to Martyrs at Rezang La War Memorial
The expedition witnessed its most poignant moment at the Rezang La War Memorial, situated at a daunting altitude of 16,420 feet. This historic battlefield marks the site where Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon displayed legendary valor against Chinese forces on November 18, 1962. Company Commander Major Shaitan Singh, Param Vir Chakra, along with several comrades, laid down their lives protecting national sovereignty. Visiting the memorial dedicated to fellow Jodhpur native Major Shaitan Singh, Parvati laid a floral wreath and reverently touched the sacred soil of the battlefield to her forehead.
Reaching the Heights of Siachen and Baltistan Villages
Braving harsh meteorological conditions and icy landscapes, Parvati Jangid journeyed to the base camp and forward positions of the Siachen Glacier, regarded as the highest battlefield in the world. She celebrated Raksha Bandhan directly with the 'Siachen Warriors' stationed in freezing conditions, fastening protective threads on their wrists. During her visit, she offered prayers at the shrine of 'OP Baba', venerated as the protector of the glacier, praying for the longevity, safety, and family well-being of all service personnel stationed along the nation's borders.
Her route also extended to frontier settlements within the historic Baltistan sector, including Turtuk, Thang, Tyakshi, and Chalunka. In these strategic regions, deeply associated with the valor displayed during the 1971 war, she paid tribute to the gallantry of the Ladakh Scouts and Major Chewang Rinchen. Advancing up to the 'Zero RD' post, recognized as the gateway to Gilgit-Baltistan, she tied Rakhasutras directly on the sentinels guarding the critical frontier.
Recognition for Military Units and Leadership
Beyond fastening sacred threads on more than 3,750 soldiers during the 21-day mission, the initiative formally recognized institutional excellence by presenting Unit Citations to 71 military formations and units on behalf of 'Youth Parliament of India'. Furthermore, 99 senior military officers received the 'Rashtriya Yoddha Seva Samman' in acknowledgment of their strategic leadership and long-standing contributions to national defense. Commanders across the Indian Army, ITBP, and BRO commended the undertaking for navigating thousands of kilometers of treacherous mountain terrain. The expedition drew to a close at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, where floral tributes were placed for fallen heroes.
