National War Memorial inauguration LIVE: The National War Memorial was approved by the Cabinet in 2015, and its total cost has been pegged at Rs 176 crore. (Abhinav Saha)Decades after the project was conceptualised in 1961, the country’s first National War Memorial dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon. The project was approved by the Cabinet in 2015, and its total cost has been pegged at Rs 176 crore.
Names of the 25,942 soldiers who died in multiple conflicts after Independence have been engraved in gold on granite tablets, and placed on 16 ‘honour walls’ in two concentric circles named ‘Tyag Chakra’. At the centre of the circles is a 15.5-metre tall granite obelisk, where the PM will light an ‘Eternal Flame.
PM Modi pays tributes to deceased Pulwama soldiers
PM Modi says the defence procurement procedure has been eased and streamlined. He says the government was also working on building three super specialty hospitals for ex-servicemen. "At this historical place, I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama and all those bravehearts who sacrifice themselves for protection of India," Modi says.
PM Modi says Rs 35,000 crore has been distributed through OROP
Speaking of the contribution of the government towards ex-servicemen, PM Modi says Rs 35,000 crore has been distributed through One Rank, One Pension. "Salaries of soldiers have been increased by 55 per cent. Pension Budget now over Rs 1 lakh crore. Rashtriya Samar Smaarak will be dedicated to the nation, thousands of martyrs names are etched and will continue to inspire future generations," he says.
Soldiers have always been at forefront to protect nation: PM Modi
PM Modi says the decades-long wait for the National War Memorial is now over. "Whether the problems have come due to enemies or nature, the soldiers have always been at the forefront to protect the country. New India is now moving forward with new virtues, and it is because of your dedication. When Lata di had sung Mere Watan Ke Logon here, it made all of us emotional," PM Modi says. Mentioning the recent Pulwama attack, Modi says, "Would like to pay respect to every soldier who got martyred in the incident."
PM Modi praises the contribution of Indian Army
Praising the Indian Army, PM Modi says due to the sacrifice of many soldiers, we are the largest Army in the world. While concluding her speech, Sitharaman said, "With this memorial, we have created one more pilgrimage place for Indians, we hope every Indian visits and pays homage to our brave soldiers."
PM Modi begins his speech
Today, we are dedicating, for our nation, a National War Memorial of our own. We have waited for several decades for this great day, says Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. PM Modi now arrives on the dais to give his speech.
All about the National War Memorial
The ‘Param Yodha Sthal’, where the 21 winners of the Param Vir Chakra have been honoured with individual bronze busts, with details of their bravery engraved below, is also a part of the memorial. All about the National War Memorial
The war memorial will keep reminding us of soldiers' valour: Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is now speaking in the dedication ceremony. "When you go home, tell them of us...and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today...The last words of our heroes always reverberate in our hearts...This war memorial will keep reminding us in years to come of the valour of the soldiers and their dedicated service," she says.
PM Modi to inaugurate National War Memorial soon
A little to the east of Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, PM Modi will light another flame in honour of martyred soldiers at the country’s first National War Memorial.