Mumbai, July 26: A slew of Bollywood stars including Hema Malini, Abhishek Bachchan, Kailash Kher and Taapsee Pannu on Thursday paid tributes to Indian soldiers and martyrs on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas marks the success of Operation Vijay. On July 26, 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders.

Here's what the celebrities tweeted:

Hema Malini: Today is the 19th Kargil Vijay Diwas when we taught Pakistan a lesson with an emphatic victory in a war they won't forget! Let us pay a tribute to our martyrs who laid down their lives for the country and helped to keep our flag flying high. Salute.

Abhishek Bachchan: Kargil Vijay Diwas in honour of our brave soldiers who fought for us and continue to. Never forget.

Kailash Kher: In Dras. Kargil war memorial Remembering all the real heroes of this soil. Naman hai tumko hey Bharat ke Veer.. Kargil Vijay Diwas

Taapsee Pannu: I am sure they never wanted to fight...... But they were ready to die for our country. I would any day prefer to celebrate each n every day WITH them than this one day without them... Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Esha Deol: Today is the 19th Kargil Vijay Diwas... as a tribute I'd lik' to share this throwback picture of Abhishek Bachchan and me from the film! I will always be proud to be a part of 'LOC Kargil'.

Preity Zinta: Remembering our Hero's of the 'ndian Armed Forces today with a big salute. Thank you for your sacrifice and bravery.

Anubhav Sinha: I hate wars, but then sometimes it is inevitable to fight some. Kargil was one such. A war that was treacherously imposed upon us. We Won, but after losing so many precious lives. Salute for giving up your lives to protect the country. Kargil Vijay Diwas

Vishal Dadlani: On Vijay Diwas, along with saluting our soldiers for their sacrifices and commemorating the hard-fought victory in Kargil, let's also take a moment to remember that so many lives were lost to the futility and stupidity of war. If we truly love our soldiers, give peace a chance!

Shankar Mahadevan: This Kargil Vijay Diwas, my salute to all our brave soldiers for their sacrifices they make for our country.

Vivek Anand Oberoi: A salute to our martyrs Kargil Vijay Diwas...We owe it to them to be a better society and a stronger nation!



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New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Friday called for creating a system in which people's skills get their due and everyone's contribution is respected, as he shared a Diwali video in which he interacts with paint job workers and potters.

Posting the over nine-minute video which features him also having a conversation with his nephew Raihan Rajiv Vadra on YouTube, the former Congress chief said, "A memorable Diwali with special people - I celebrated this Diwali working with some painter brothers and making earthen diyas with a potter family."

"I saw their work closely, tried to learn their skills and understood their difficulties and problems. They don't go home. We celebrate festivals happily and to earn some money, they forget their village, city, family," Gandhi said.

"They make happiness from clay. While lighting up the festivals of others, are they able to live in light themselves? Those who build houses can hardly run their own houses!" he said.

Gandhi said Diwali means light that can remove the darkness of poverty and helplessness.

"We have to create such a system -- in which people's skills get their due and contribution is respected -- makes everyone's Diwali a happy one. I hope this Diwali brings prosperity, progress and love in the lives of all of you," he said.

In the video, Gandhi is seen working with labourers at the 10 Janpath residence and learning to paint walls along with his nephew. In the second part of the video, Gandhi goes to the house of a woman who makes earthen lamps with her five daughters.

Gandhi tries his hand at pottery and makes 'diyas', which he says he would give to his mother and sister.

Since his Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and his Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi has been interacting with a cross-section of people from mechanics and cobblers to labourers and bus drivers.

He often posts videos of his numerous interactions and highlights the plight of various sections of society.