How can man die better, than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his father and the temples of his God”, is inscribed on the memorial of India’s 1962 Sino-Indian war in Kemang sector, whose valour remains unmatched”.
National War Memorial (NWM) at India Gate built on the sprawling lawns of India Gate, in memory of the war heroes of Indian forces will be thrown open on February 25 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Modi will dedicate the memorial to nation on February 25,” sources in the Defence Ministry said. Notably, prior to the inaugural ceremony, PM Modi will address a gathering of ex-servicemen at the National Stadium in the national Capital, which is few meters away from the memorial site.
Interestingly, the NWM was first proposed by the armed forces in 1960 but the proposal was stuck due to politico- bureaucracy apathy.
The NWM has been constructed to honour around 26,000 soldiers who laid down their lives in war and operations since India got independence in 1947.
In October 2015, the Government accorded its approval for building the NWM at a cost of Rs 176 crore. Earlier, it was to be inaugurated on August 15 last year.
Located at India Gate C-Hexagon, the NWM apart from having artificial lighting for evenings and a walking plaza, will have a 14 lakh litre water storage tank for rainwater harvesting, keeping the area green and cool, and preventing water logging.
The memorial is having a layout of four landscaped concentric circles spread over 40 acres. The four circles — Amar Chakra (circle of immortality), Veer Chakra (circle of bravery), Tyag Chakra (circle of sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (circle of protection) — will include a 15m tall obelisk with eternal flame, bronze murals, graphic panels, inscription of names of martyrs and busts of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.
The adjacent India Gate was built by the British in memory of 84,000 Indian soldiers killed during the World War I and the Afghan campaign. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was constructed under the arch of India Gate to honour the 3,843 soldiers who died during Bangladesh liberation war of 1971.