GUWAHATI: In honor of the people of Kargil, four students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Tezpur University have produced a short documentary named “KARGIL WAR: THE STORY UNTOLD” that presents a new side to the Kargil War of 1999. It tells the story of the local people of Kargil who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army in fighting against the enemies. The students made the documentary on behalf of the organization We For Kargil (NGO) in Kargil, Ladakh in 2019. The documentary is directed and edited by Amborish Bordoloi and written by Pratishthita Baishya. The cinematography of the film is done by Aseem Md. Kannancheri and Amborish Bordoloi. Partha Pratim Saikia is responsible for sound recording and design.
The Kargil War of 1999 is widely known for the bravery of the Indian Army who fought on extreme terrain for over months. The sacrifices made by the soldiers make the bedrock of our victory. This documentary delves into the rarely acknowledged fact that we also owe this victory to the local people for their constant support and assistance to the Indian Army during wartime. The team’s research revealed that as the region has a treacherous topography, it was extremely difficult for the Army personnel to navigate the land with their baggage. So, they relied solely on the locals to porter their goods. As some families fell directly on the line of fire, they were being evacuated and moved to safer areas, but many chose to stay back and opened their homes to the Army. Young and old men all alike from every village volunteered to carry arms and supplies to remote outposts located in the mountains. They portered everything from the base to the actual line of defence. They were all untrained, civilians risking their lives by just being out in the open due to the incessant shelling happening at all times.
“This documentary is a narrative of people’s courage, resilience and true patriotism. They were the army without a uniform. A story of victory made possible by the People” said the team.
The documentary was released on youtube on July 26 on the occasion of the 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas. It became the Semi-finalist and received the Jury’s Special Mention at the Chalachitram National Film Festival 2020. It also received Official Selection at the Jharkhand International Film Festival & Awards 2020, The Lift-Off Sessions 2020, and at the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions 2020.
The team of ‘KARGIL WAR: THE STORY UNTOLD’ believes that Kargil is much more than a battleground. It is the land of selfless people who have stood at the border witnessing multiple wars and never faltered in expressing their love for the motherland. This documentary pays homage to every braveheart of Kargil and urges people to go and experience the beauty of the place and its people.
Watch the documentary here:
