20 years on, India has learnt crucial lessons from the Kargil War

Twenty years after the Kargil War, India has had some important takeaways. Speaking at the Times Litfest on Saturday, former chief of army staff General VP Malik said India is much better prepared to recognise and fight military aggression.
“There are strategic, tactical and operational lessons (that have been learnt). We are more aggressive and proactive. I hope this continues,” he said.
The biggest problem, he said, had been lack of proper ammunition. “We were in a very bad state and did not have adequate weapons. Things are improving,” he added.
On a political level, Malik said, the biggest takeaway was the understanding of war preparation. “For quite some time our political authorities and the intelligence bureau didn't believe that we might fight a war. Even the prime ministers and interlocutors kept going to Pakistan sometime in May and June (in 1999) to understand the situation, and (then Pak PM) Nawaz Sharif would say I don't know what is happening,” he said.
Several members of the audience were keen to hear from the army veterans on stage of how they, as youngsters and civilians, can show their patriotism. Major DP Singh, a retired army officer, a Kargil War veteran and India's ‘first blade runner’, said not all forms of patriotism ended with saving the country. “One can show patriotism by doing his/her job efficiently -- may it be as a banker, a pilot or a construction worker.”
A 100% disabled army veteran who lost his right leg and had his gut ripped out by shrapnel during the Kargil War, Major DP Singh inspired the audience to look beyond their disability to give shape to their dreams and aim for success. “I have lost a large part of my intestines, so bowel movements in the morning are a challenge. Then, I take a long time to adjust the prosthetic – sometimes it fits, sometimes it twists. All in all, I take nearly 1.5 hours to get ready for a run in the morning. In that much time, you might as well take a brisk walk and come back?”
For him, he said, the biggest challenge was not the physical recuperation, but the mental challenges that come after being discharged. “Once you are out of the hospital, the real tussle begins between what is the reality and what your mind thinks it can still do,” he said, adding that veterans need to be given better access to mental health facilities.