Mysore/Mysuru: The 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas will be commemorated on July 26 at 8.30 am at Gandhi Square, Mysuru, announced Prince Anthony, President of Mysuru Ex-Servicemen Movement (MEM).

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here, he said the MEM will mark the victory in the Kargil War in a meaningful and distinctive manner.

Ex-Servicemen, their families and patriots from across the district will participate in the event by assembling at the Town Hall premises at 8 am and proceed in a procession to Gandhi Square, where tributes will be paid to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War.

Following the commemoration, the Mysuru Ex-Servicemen Movement will stage a symbolic protest at Town Hall, demanding specialised healthcare services for veterans and their families in multi-speciality hospitals. Participants will wear black armbands to register their dissent.

Anthony noted that ex-servicemen, despite refraining from protests until now, are compelled to demonstrate as many multi-speciality hospitals continue to deny treatment under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

“Ex-Servicemen are not financially secure and often take up small jobs after retirement. Many are affected by respiratory and cardiac ailments, yet hospitals in the city refuse treatment under CGHS provisions. Despite repeated appeals, there has been no action. Some well-known hospitals have outright refused to be part of the network,” he said.

The protest will witness participation from Ex-Servicemen of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Mandya districts. Ex-Servicemen Movement office-bearers Vivekananda Naidu, Kishore Kadam, Ramnarayan, Yoganna and Sridhar were also present at the press meet.