“If death strikes before I prove my blood, I promise I will kill death” – strong words by Veer Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles who made the supreme sacrifice for Maa Bharathi at the age of 24 fighting the Kargil War and safeguarding our motherland.
Today me and you are enjoying the freedom which is because of the supreme sacrifice of such Veer Jawaan's who don’t think twice before laying down their life for Maa Bharathi.
They do not think about the aftermath of their sacrifice – what will happen to their family, their old parents, their spouse (if married) and their children (if they have any). They just have only one thought that if I don’t stop this enemy then my Bharath and Bhartiya's will be in danger.
In some cases the martyr who did the supreme sacrifice is the sole bread earner. The compensation that the family receives at times attracts more unknown relatives ready to grab their pound of share and most of the time is sufficient for the time being. What happens to the family after that compensation is over???
Here is where Veer Ratna Foundation comes in picture. Veer Ratna Foundation (VRF) empowers the Veer Naari (spouse of the martyred jawaan) by making her self-sufficient. VRF prepares the Veer Naari to make her own living with dignity by teaching her and improving her skill sets and preparing her to earn her livelihood and take care of her family.
We as individuals may not be at the borders fighting the enemy but at least we can strengthen organisations like Veer Ratna Foundation who makes sure that the Martyrs Spouse lives a life of dignity and takes control of her family.
Here I am once again like every year raising funds for Veer Ratna Foundation during the annual festival of runners the TCS World 10K Bengaluru edition. Last years overwhelming response from all of my loving 250+ angels has encouraged me to stick to my target for this year also to INR 10 Lakhs.
Last year I fell short of my target and this year I hope my loved ones will not let me down.
I am very confident that on 27th April 2025 when I stand at the START line of TCS world 10 K Bengaluru you all my friends and families will make sure I would have already crossed my Fundraising Targets FINISH line.
Lastly as I always say “Every drop counts, and every rupee contributed by you enables me to offer a helping hand and support to Veer Ratna Foundation in their yeoman efforts for letting the Martyred Jawaan know that we Bharatiya’s are there for his family and that his supreme sacrifice is not forgotten”
Jai Hind. Jai Bharat
I am a long distance runner since 2014. Started fund raising since TCS 2015 for Vasantharatna Foundation for Arts and there has been no looking back. Last year I targeted INR 5 Lacs but ended up raising INR 7.5 Lacs. Giving back to the community in some way or the other has been my moto and that has lead me to this fundraiser.
This year I have raised my target to INR 10 Lacs.
A big thank you to all those who have donated on this page.