Arunachal Pradesh, India —In the crisp mountain air of Walong, a sea of Tricolours flowed through the valleys as the people of Arunachal Pradesh came together for a moving display of unity and patriotism. The occasion was the Tiranga Yatra, a solemn yet spirited tribute to the Indian Armed Forces, organized in the aftermath of the successful Operation Sindoor.
Walong, a quiet border town cradled by the eastern Himalayas, carries the legacy of one of the fiercest chapters in India’s military history—the 1962 Indo-China war. Here, in the nation’s easternmost battlefield, brave Indian soldiers held their ground with unimaginable courage. More than six decades later, the people of Arunachal gathered not just to remember them—but to walk in their memory.
The Tiranga Yatra wasn’t led by any single figure, but by a collective spirit—a community marching in unity. From elders to schoolchildren, from local officials to ex-servicemen, every step taken through Walong’s historic soil echoed with pride, remembrance, and resilience.
“This land is sacred to us,” said a local participant. “Our forefathers saw the sacrifice with their own eyes. Today, we walk for them and for every soldier who stood here for India.”
Pariticpated in the Tiranga Yatra at Walong, the sacred land that echoes with the valour of our soldiers.
We gathered to pay tribute to the unmatched courage of the Indian Armed Forces, following the success of Operation Sindoor.
Walong, the site of India’s easternmost battle… pic.twitter.com/5MZOsHe05z
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 16, 2025
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who also participated in the Yatra, called Walong a “proud reminder of patriotism and resilience”, underscoring the state’s unwavering connection to the Armed Forces and the nation.
The march, marked by chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and fluttering flags, was more than a ceremonial act. It was a declaration from the people of Arunachal Pradesh—that they remember, that they honour, and that they remain firmly rooted in the ideals of courage, sacrifice, and national unity.
As the procession reached its final point, many stood in silence, facing the hills where Indian soldiers once fought. Some held tears, others saluted. All carried the same feeling: an unshakable pride in being part of a land that has always stood at the frontlines—not just geographically, but in spirit. Jai Hind.
