Delhi: War Memorial Ready, 60 Years After It Was First Proposed

When you go home, tell them of us, and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today”. This evocative eulogy to soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice to defend their country is all set to resonate in the New Year.

The National War Memorial (NWM) is now finally ready, around 60 years after it was first proposed by the armed forces and remained stuck in general politico-bureaucratic apathy, to honour the over 22,600 soldiers who have laid down their lives in wars and operations since Independence. Defence officials say Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the “world-class” NWM, adjoining the India Gate complex on the majestic Rajpath in the capital, on January 25. “India was probably the only major country not to have a NWM,” said a senior officer.

“The life of an Indian soldier, after all, comes dirt cheap. The NWM will finally fulfil this long-pending emotional demand of the armed forces, which over the years successfully resisted moves to shift it elsewhere or to the outskirts of Delhi,” he added.

India Gate itself was constructed by the British in memory of the 84,000 Indian soldiers killed fighting for the Empire in World War-I and the Afghan campaign, with the Amar Jawan Jyoti later being built under its arch to honour the 3,843 soldiers who died liberating Bangladesh in 1971.

The NWM, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore after being approved by the government in October 2015, was initially slated for inauguration on August 15 in 2018, but missed its deadline for completion. Built in keeping with the “aesthetics and sanctity” of the Central Vista and India Gate, it has a layout of four landscaped concentric circles spread over 40 acres.

The Amar Chakra (circle of immortality), Veer Chakra (circle of bravery), Tyag Chakra (circle of sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (circle of protection) will include a 15-metre tall central obelisk with the eternal flame, bronze murals, graphic panels, inscription of names of martyrs and busts of the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, as earlier reported by TOI. “The NWM, with a central congregation space, has been designed to ensure it does not obstruct the existing layout of Rajpath and its iconic structures,” said the official.

A suitable design, in turn, is in the process of being identified for the proposed National War Museum at Princess Park, adjoining the NWM at the C Hexagon of the India Gate complex. “The museum will take some years to be constructed. The initial cost approved for it is around Rs 350 crore,” he added.

Source:TNN

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