National War Memorial near India Gate in New Delhi — constructed in memory of those who made supreme sacrifice on the line of duty since Independence — was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

After lighting the eternal flame at the central obelisk in the war memorial complex, the Prime Minister visited various sections of the memorial.

According to official data, over 25,000 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have laid down their lives while defending the motherland.

While addressing the veterans of the Armed forces at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, before inaugurating the memorial, Modi said, “Indian Army is one the bravest Armies in the world.”

In his hard-hitting speech at a gathering of ex-servicemen, Modi referred to the Bofors scam, AgustaWestland chopper scam, Rafale issue and inordinate delays in procurement of critical military platforms and ammunition by previous Government.

“Why injustice was meted out to our martyrs? What was the reason attention was not drawn to build a memorial for the martyrs? Was it India first or family first. The answer to this lies in the difference between family first and India first,” Modi said, in a clear reference to the Gandhi family.

Modi remembered the jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) who were martyred in the recent terror attack in Pulwama, and paid homage to all the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, defending India.

“Today New India is growing in stature globally, and this is due in large measure to its Armed forces,” he said and also expressed happiness that the National War Memorial, or Rashtriya Samar Smaarak, is being dedicated to the nation.

The Prime Minister recalled that the Union Government had also fulfilled its pledge of providing One Rank, One Pension to the soldiers and ex-servicemen. He said OROP has resulted in an increase in pension of up to 40 per cent, and an increase in salaries of soldiers of up to 55 per cent, compared to 2014.

The Prime Minister mentioned that there has been a demand for a super-speciality hospital, and announced that three such super-speciality hospitals would be set up.

Giving some more illustrations of the Government’s approach towards the Armed forces, the Prime Minister mentioned the encouragement being given to innovations by soldiers during Army Day, Navy Day and Air Force Day events. He also mentioned the Gallantry Awards portal launched on August 15, 2017. He said women have now got the opportunity to become fighter pilots. He said women officers in short service commission are being given opportunities for permanent commission on par with their male counterparts.

Modi said change has been initiated in the entire ecosystem of defence procurement. He said transparency and level playing field are the hallmarks of the Government's approach. He stressed on the impetus being given to “Make in India.”

The PM said the Indian Army has participated in about 50 out of 70 major UN peacekeeping missions, and about 2 lakh soldiers have been a part of these operations.

He said the navies of 50 countries were part of the International Fleet Review organised by the Indian Navy in 2016. He also said our Armed forces conduct an average of ten big joint exercises with Armed forces of friendly countries, every year.

He said the huge reduction in piracy in the Indian Ocean, is due, to a large extent, to the military might of India, and our international partnerships. The Prime Minister referred to the long-pending demand from the Indian Army for 1.86 lakh bullet-proof jackets, and said the Union Government has procured over 2.30 lakh bullet-proof jackets over the last four and a half years. He said the Union Government is equipping the Indian Army with modern aircraft, helicopters, submarines, ships and weaponry. He said decisions pending for a long time, are being taken in national interest.

The Prime Minister said besides the National War Memorial, the National Police Memorial has also been established. The Union Government has recognised great national leaders including Sardar Patel, Babasahed Ambedkar, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, he added. He said the Union Government would continue to take decisions, keeping national interest supreme.