Radiant Wellness Conclave 2024: Celebrating 25 Years of The Kargil War Victory

Chennai: The Radiant Group of Companies organised the 2024 edition of the Radiant Wellness Conclave on August 10th, a prestigious event dedicated to holistic wellness and inspirational thought leadership. The conclave held special significance as it commemorated the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil War.
In honour of this milestone, the Conclave paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of those killed in action, wounded and veterans of the Kargil War, spotlighting their remarkable contributions to the nation’s defence. Among the esteemed guests was General Ved Prakash Malik, the Chief of Army Staff during the Kargil War, who played a pivotal role in leading India to victory.

Key Highlights of RWC 2024:

• Celebrating Heroes: A special tribute to those killed in action, wounded and veterans, including General Ved Prakash Malik, honouring their courage and dedication.
• Veterans’ Stories: Insightful sessions where Kargil War veterans shared their experiences and recount the valorous actions that secured India’s triumph. This included a panel discussion with Lt. Gen Mohinder Puri, Maj Gen Lakhwinder Singh, Lt Gen YK Joshi and Air Marshal Narayan Menon.
• Distinguished Speakers: Prominent figures such as Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Barkha Dutt joined the veterans and subject matter experts to discuss the significance of the Kargil War and its impact on national strategy and personal ethos of the body public.
• Fireside Chat: The Fireside Chats at the event included “The Role of Women in the Kargil War,” led by Dr. Renuka David, Founder of Radiant Wellness Conclave, with panellists Capt. Yashika Hatwal Tyagi, Ms. Anitha Ravindranath, and Dr. Ranjana Malik; and “The Role of Media in Portrayal of the Kargil War,” also led by Dr. Renuka David, with panellists Mr. Shabbir Boxwala and Mr. Vishnuvardhan k.
• Round Table Panel: A strategic discussion featuring Lt. Gen SL Narasimhan, Lt. Gen Rakesh Sharma, and Ambassador Gautam Bambawale.
• Radiant National Icon Award: Honorary Captain Sanjay Kumar, a living Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee, received the prestigious Radiant National Icon Award. The award was presented by Col. David Devasahayam, Dr. Renuka David, General Ved Prakash Malik and Dr. Shashi Tharoor in recognition of his exceptional bravery and service to the nation
• Holistic Wellness Focus: The Conclave also explored various dimensions of wellness, emphasizing the importance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  Col. David Devasahayam, Patron of the Radiant Wellness Conclave, stated, “The Indian Armed Forces is an outstanding organisation, and the soldier is its fulcrum as the most powerful asset. Everything centres around his or her well-being – from the success or failure of an operation to the security of our country. Physical health, cognitive agility, and emotional resilience are vital. In all this, the most important aspect of a healthy Armed Forces is a strong team and unit, driven by a leader with vision and integrity. When a leader is respected and stands for the right thing, it also motivates his/her soldiers to exceed themselves in the achievement of the specified mission.”
  Dr. Renuka David, Founder of the Radiant Wellness Conclave, reflected on the event, saying, “It has been a special and overwhelming experience curating the sessions for the Radiant Wellness Conclave this year, as the theme is extremely close to my heart. Twenty-five years after the Kargil War, we spotlighted the brave men and women who made this victory possible. We also presented lesser-discussed aspects such as the role of women in the Kargil Conflict, its impact on popular culture, and strategic diplomacy in the region. We were so privileged to have such stalwarts as speakers and panellists in our midst. The Radiant National Icon Award was very special to us, and this year, it was presented to Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, one of the only two surviving Param Vir Chakras in India.”

Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, PVC, shared “When we set out (for the Kargil war), the journey to the top of the mountains was a battle in itself, with harsh weather challenging us at every step. But we knew we had the backing of our Army and our government, which gave us the strength to push forward. The success of our mission was a direct result of the meticulous planning by our commanders, and we simply executed their vision with determination. Our victory was a true team effort, and I stand here today because of the collective strength of every soldier, officer, and support staff who played their part. This honor belongs to all of us.”
The curation and content development for this year’s event was led by Lt Gen. Devaraj Anbu, Former Army Cdr & Vice Chief, providing expert guidance on the Kargil War content.

The Radiant Wellness Conclave is organized by the Radiant Foundation, a CSR initiative of the Radiant Group of Companies. As a not-for-profit event, it provides an apolitical platform for celebrating national achievements and promoting wellness in society.