YMCA AGRA is actively involved in Community Building exercises and when our Board of Directors heard about the Martyr Captain Ashish Deva We decided to do something to salute the Martyr. The Rt. Revd. S. R. Cutting – Bishop of Agra, Church of North India & Chief Patron YMCA AGRA helped and guided us in each and every step we have taken to accomplish the mission. I am thankful to the officials of YMCA AGRA, Diocese of Agra, Bishop P. K. Samantharaoy – Bishop of Chandigarh Diocese, Facebook Community, Family members and friends who helped us in reaching the goal.

Program 1- We started our Mission on 8th June 2011 on the auspicious occasion of the birthday of the pioneer of YMCA movement Sir. George Williams (6th June) by organizing Personality Development & Career Guidance Program with Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission, Shaheed Nagar, Agra, India. To motivate and join young people.
The program started at 12:00 pm by attendance and session about “what is YMCA”? In this session the young participants were motivated and encouraged to become part of this International Fraternity by slide show presentation and various games.
At 2:00 pm the session on Personality Development was taken by Mr. Amit Kapoor- General Secretary YMCA AGRA in which the main 3 characteristics of Personality – Character, Behavior and Attitude were taught with various practical examples. The games, presentations and various skills development exercises were done with them.
The session on Career Guidance was taken by Mrs. Amrita Kapoor- she emphasis on career and future of Nursing, Career in Music, and many other fields.
Revd. P. P. Habil – President of YMCA AGRA in his remarks showed his satisfaction on organizing such programs in which we are directly involved in community and helping the young people knowing their powers.
The Managing Director of Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission- Mr. Vikas Singh gave vote of thanks. We have 300 people participation in this program which encouraged us to next step.

Program 2 – Car Marathon from Agra to Kargil (Jammu and Kashmir 21- 28th August 2011)
On 21st August 2011 we started our journey from Shaheed Smarak, Sanjay Place, Agra to Kargil. The rally started with the traditional ceremony and prayer by Revd. P. P. Habil – President YMCA AGRA.
The respected Mayor of Agra city Mrs. Anjula Singh Mahor, Mr. Hardesh Deva, Mrs. Bimla Deva (Parents of Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva), Revd. P. P. Habil, Col. Dubey etc. flagged off the car.
The first halt was in Amritsar. By per kindness of his holiness Rt. Revd. B. Samantharao- Bishop of Amritsar Diocese arranged the accommodation in Alexandra School, Amritsar.
On 22nd Morning we left Amritsar along with the Peace rally delegates (a program of Amritsar Diocese) and reached Army Transit Camp, Jammu in afternoon. We left for Kanachak (India – Pakistan Border), -A post where Captain Ashish Deva died in a landmine blast- We met the Commanding Officer and informed the reason of arrival. They offered Tea and Biscuits and shared the incident of Captain Ashish’s death. The memento (Glass Taj Mahal) and Petha – Dalmoth from Agra was handed over to the Army officials and the Commanding Officer was requested to have a word with Captain Ashish’s parents on phone. That was the very touching moment. We were informed by the Army officials that Pakistan is only 500 meters from the location we are standing, which gave a thrilled feeling to every one. We also requested the Indian Army officials to help us in collecting the soil from location where Captain Ashish Deva gave his life and they honored our request and arranged the soil for us. We came back to Jammu Army Camp for night stay.
On 23rd morning 8:00 am we left Jammu and started our journey to Srinagar. Due to land slides, traffic jams, Muslims festival time we reached Srinagar at 10:30 in night. The Army Transit Camp, Srinagar arranged our stay in Officers Mess by per kindness of Mr. Aloka Kumar – Chief Accountant Diocese of Agra, church of North India.
On 24th morning 8:00 am we started our journey towards Kargil. Crossing Dal Lake, Natural beauty of Kashmir, leaving Wayul, Sonmarg behind we reached small town Drass in afternoon. Here we came to know that the real Kargil war took place 15 Kms to Kargil NH-1A. We were very excited to reach the place as soon as possible and at last in the mid of afternoon we reached the WAR MEMORIAL, DRASS. The location which witnessed the Kargil War. The authorized Army officials told us about the Pakistan attack from Tololing Mountain top, Tiger Hill, Rhino Horn. The enemies plan was to cut all the communication between Kashmir and Kargil, Leh and Laddakh. We lost 522 brave soldiers in this attack but our soldiers pushed them back and crushed their dream of capturing NH1-A. Which is the only road that connects Kargil & Leh to the rest of the Country.
We handed over the another memento, (A Glass Taj Mahal, Petha and Dalmoth) to the Army friends and they kept the memento in their museum so that anyone visiting this location can see our love towards them. We collected the soil of Kargil Martyrs from the War Memorial, Drass.
It was getting dark and we started our journey towards Kargil which was a nail biting excitement. We can hardly see people on the road to Kargil, our soldiers were posted on the top of mountains.
The muddy road was very narrow and risky, inviting the accident; any carelessness would take us several feet below into the over flowing river. We were the only people going towards Kargil crossing all the hardships of unknown place. As we entered Kargil a Stone Wall of 15-20 feet stood by the side of road which was made for a reason by Indian Army to protect the people moving on this road, as this is the location which is easily visible to the enemy. Many accidents were heard when the enemy opened their fires to the innocent people.
We reached Kargil in Night and were not able to locate the Army Camp because it was very late and there was no one to help us. We checked in the Hotel D’Zozila, Kargil and relaxed ourselves after a dangerous journey of 70 kms. The night was not very comfortable as we met a restaurant manager who was not happy seeing Indian Flag and Captain Ashish Deva’s photograph on our Car. He asked us if we were we from India? This was a very strange question for us as we were very much in our own country. We could feel that people of Kargil don’t like us as they believe themselves as native of some other country.
We had our dinner and went to hotel and early morning we left Kargil sensing the terror and questioning eyes. With strange experiences and same dangerous road we returned back to War Memorial, Drass where Army Officials asked us to stay for some Tea to show their love and affection. We had Tea & Rajma, Chawal for lunch with them.They showed us a short documentary of half an hour on Kargil War. We were touched by their hospitality and assured them that we’ll visit next year on 26th July for celebrating Kargil Diwas with them.
We started our journey back to Agra on 26th August and on 28th evening 5:00 pm we reached back to Shaheed Smarak, Agra at 5:00 pm.
A program was organized to salute the Martyrs and the dignitaries of Agra, respected Mayor Mam, Captain Ashish Deva’s parents, Revd. P. P. Habil (President YMCA AGRA), Mrs. & Mr. Kapoor, Mrs. Kulshrestha and crowd of several people gathered to welcome us and hear our experience.
We shared our views with them and handed over the precious soil of our Martyrs to the Mayor of Agra and made a request to dedicate a road in name of Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva. The Mayor in her address said, “ I am moved by the initiative of Amit & Vikas and would like to promise that if God is willing, next year I will also attend the Army ceremony on Shaheed Diwas (26th July 2012) at War Memorial, Drass”.
In response to the request made by us, she promised that she will bring the resolution in present session to dedicate a road in name of Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva.
This was the boon for us and a precious reward for all the efforts we did for our dear friend Ashish and his parents..

Program 3 – Road Dedication and Stone Installation Ceremony 3rd October 2011
In the 33rd session of Secretariat Agra on 3rd September 2011 Mayor of Agra Mrs. Anjula Singh Mahor accepted our request and passed the resolution to dedicate the Sikandara – Bodla Road as Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva Marg.
On 3rd October 2011 thousands of people gathered at Bodla Crossing to witness the ceremony. The Brigadier P. K. Gupta, Mayor Mrs. Anjula Mahor, President YMCA AGRA Revd. P. P. Habil, Major R. K. Singh, Major V. K. Singh, Corporate Mr. Kapil Vajpai, Mr. Pravendra Tomar- Journalist, Mr. Nasir Hussain – Journalist, Mr. Vikas Singh – MD Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission, Mr. Deepak Dan- Board Member YMCA AGRA were main key person to make the program successful. The 200 NCC Cadets from Army wing and Air wing, the children from various schools also came to salute the Martyr.
The program started at 10:30 when Mayor Mrs. Anjula Singh Mahor opened the curtain and announced that this crossing will be known as Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva Chawk and the road from here to Sikandara (Akbar’s Tomb) will be known as Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva Marg the crowd waved their hands and clapped with shout of Vande Matram, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Veer Shaheed Captain Ashish Deva Amar rahein. The Full size picture of Captain Ashish was placed in white horse Chariot which moved from the spot towards his home. The NCC Cadets March followed by Band singing Patriotism Songs. Around 4 and half kilometers march attracted all the people passing on this important road connecting National Highway NH-2 Agra - Delhi Highway
We are thankful to everyone who appreciated our efforts and carved the name of YMCA AGRA on the stone which is inaugurated by the Mayor of Agra city it gave us a position and proud feelings in our city. Please pray for our efforts and struggles. We have lots of events and programs for our members and people of our beautiful city. Now we have started the membership drive to join more committed people with us this membership drive will end in the month of March 2012.

Result - Mission Accomplished

Amit Kapoor
General Secretary
YMCA AGRA