Delhi was the centre of the celebrations which began early in the day on July 26, 2000 at India Gate where the President and Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, Mr K R Narayanan, led the nation in paying tributes to the Kargil heroes. Among the dignitaries to offer tributes at the war memorial were the Vice President, Mr Krishan Kant, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen V P Malik, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sushil Kumar and the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal P S Brar.

The wreath-laying ceremony at India Gate also saw M1-8 helicopters - used in Kargil - doing a fly-past over Rajpath followed by the Jaguars in a "one-man missing formation" with one aircraft less to register a pilot’s homage to the slain hero. The Kargil Vijay Diwas exhibition was thrown open to the public by Mr George Fernandes shortly after the wreath-laying ceremony-and the war memorial in the evening when the Prime Minister lit a candle to symbolise the "eternal flame that burns in every brave heart".

The Prime Minister also made a cultural offering to the nation and its brave soldiers by inaugurating a cultural programme-a mixed bag of poetry, dance and music-at Siri Fort Auditorium. The cultural bouquet included Vande Mataram by Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, recitation of poems in various languages by Anupam Kher, Soumitra Chatterjee, Nana Pateker, contemporary dance by Astad Deboo; Chhau dance; patriotic songs by two choir groups, Vadya Vrinda by the Akashvani Orchestra and a presentation by the Army Band.