Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated the National War Memorial near India Gate in New Delhi to the nation.
He lighted the eternal flame at the central obelisk in the war memorial complex. The memorial honours soldiers who have laid down their lives in the service of the country since Independence.
More than 25 thousand soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have made the supreme sacrifice to defend the country’s sovereignty and integrity. The Prime Minister said, the Indian army is one the bravest armies in the world.
In his speech, Modi paid respect to CRPF jawan martyred in the militant attack in Pulwama on February 14 as well as all the soldiers sacrificed during the duty. He said it is the fulfilment of vision of this government like the One Rank One Pension.
“The government is going to build three super speciality hospitals for army men,” Modi announced in the event. He also used BJP’s poll tagline ‘Namumkin ab mumkin hai’ (Impossible is possible now), to point out the government’s initiatives in the defence sector. At the end of the speech, he again said that the government under him will make the impossible possible in the future.
“The credit to end the piracy in the Indian Ocean goes to Indian Army,” said Modi. PM Modi was addressing armed forces veterans before the dedication of the memorial to the nation at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Spread over an area of 40 acres near the India Gate, the monument consists of four concentric circles symbolising the ancient war formation of Chakravyuh, a 15-metre tall central obelisk and an eternal flame.
He said, the country’s soldiers have always accepted challenges and have responded efficiently. The Prime Minister said, his government is working tirelessly to make Indian Armed forces self-reliant.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, the government has fulfilled its promise of constructing the memorial in the memory of brave heart soldiers. She said, the memorial will keep reminding the people the valour of country’s soldiers. The Minister said, the country has waited for this day for long.
