16 diabled soldiers to participate in marathon

Mumbai: Sixteen war-disabled soldiers are scheduled to participate for the eighth consecutive year in the Mumbai Marathon 2019 on Saturday.

Four officers, two JCOs and 10 jawans with severe injuries, including amputated legs sustained in various wars in 1965, 1971, IPKF ops and the Kargil war, will once again participate in the “dream run” category of the Mumbai Marathon under the banner “War Wounded Foundation”, a NGO set up for the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces.

War-disabled soldiers, sporting red-and-white t-shirts of their foundation, bearing the motto “Converting Disability into Ability” will be led from the front by their 79-year-old president, Lt. General Vijay Oberoi, former vice chief of Army staff, and 82-year-old vice-president, Major General Ian Cardozo.

While interacting at the Colaba military station, Lt. General Oberoi said, “The main purpose of the soldiers’ participation in the marathon despite severe disabilities was to spread the message that physical limitations do not stop a soldier from being useful to the society, and they strive to succeed even with these challenges.”

Mr Oberoi especially praised the spirit, warmth and enthusiasm of Mumbaikars during the Marathon, which boosts their morale and confidence to return every year for the event.