PM Narendra Modi inaugurates National War Memorial, slams previous govts for putting 'family first'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the National War Memorial + and slammed the previous governments for delaying the project + to honour India's bravehearts.

PM Modi paid his tribute to the brave soldiers, who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack + and all those bravehearts who have sacrificed their lives for protecting India.

In an address to a group of ex-servicemen, PM Modi said the demand for a National War Memorial had been there for many decades, but the project did not make any headway.

"In the last decade there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen. But with the help of your blessings we started the process in 2014 and completed the project," PM said.

Slamming the previous Congress-led UPA government, PM Modi said, "For some people it is family first and not India first."

"Earlier governments used defence forces for profiteering and corruption. From Bofors to helicopter deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family and it says a lot. Now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft don't arrive in the country," he said.

The PM hit out at opposition's desperation to block the Rafale deal and said despite all their efforts, the Rafale fighter jets will soon fly over India's skies.

Listing out various schemes and measures that the NDA government has taken for the forces, PM Modi slammed the opposition for neglecting the basic needs of the soldiers.

The delay by previous governments in construction of national war memorial was an injustice to families of fallen soldiers, he said.

The Prime Minister said crucial decisions related to defence procurement and strengthening the armed forces were pending but his government cleared them on priority basis.

Addressing the ex-servicemen, he said the government will set up three super-specialty hospitals for them.

PM Modi said, "Contribution from all parts of society is necessary for security of the nation. Because of this ideology, for the 1st time women are getting the opportunity to become fighter pilots. Decisions are being taken to strengthen the participation of daughters in the forces."

Taking a dig at the previous governments, he said, "In 2009, 1,86,000 bulletproof jackets were demanded by forces. From 2009 to 2014, no provision was made for buying these jackets. It is our government that bought more than 2,30,000 bulletproof jackets for the forces.

The PM dedicated the memorial by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event.

About the Memorial

Spread over 40 acres in the India Gate complex, the has been executed at a cost of Rs 176 crore and its design was selected through a global competition.

The central part of the sprawling complex has been built in a sunken plot as the design had to respect the heritage look of the India Gate's Central Vista, officials said.

The names of 25,942 battle casualties have been inscribed across 16 walls that consist of granite pieces bearing the name, rank and regiment of the fallen heroes, the officials said, adding that it was built between February last year and this February in "record time".


Besides, the main complex, a Param Yoddha Sthal has also been built on the northern side of the India Gate's C-Hexagon area. The park is dotted with bronze busts of the 21 awardees, fifteen posthumously, of the Param Veer Chakra, country's highest wartime gallantry medal.

The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface.

(With agency inputs)