National War Memorial observes its 4th anniversary

The National War Memorial (NWM) is observing its fourth anniversary on February 25, 2023. To mark the day, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna, along with Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Officiating Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, laid a wreath at the iconic monument and paid homage to the fallen heroes.

The Memorial, which stands as testimony to the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers since Independence, was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, 2019. A number of initiatives were taken by the Government to take the gallant deeds of the Bravehearts to the maximum people, especially the youth, with the aim to inculcate a sense of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty. The initiatives have evoked an encouraging response from the public.

Digital Tributes

Interactive screens were installed in the vicinity of the Memorial for people to pay digital tributes to the fallen heroes. A whopping 12.76 lakh digital tributes were paid since February 25, 2022, by 24.94 lakh visitors from all walks of life.

Guided tours for students

To recognize the significance of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation and inspire the youth to contribute to Nation Building, guided tours are being organized at the NWM for school students. Since the last anniversary, over 1,460 schools, with a strength of more than 1.80 lakh students, have visited the Memorial.

School Band Performances

The NWM has also been organizing school band performances, based on patriotic flair. To date, more than 70 schools with 832 participants have showcased their musical brilliance. An online form-based process, facilitating online registration for band performance, has been created on the Memorial’s web portal.

Homage Ceremonies

The iconic monument houses the eternal flame which exemplifies the supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty thus making him immortal. Since its inauguration, all homage ceremonies are conducted only at the NWM, including those on National Days. Eminent dignitaries and delegations from foreign countries have been visiting the NWM to honor the supreme sacrifice of the fallen soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces. Secretary of Navy, USA Mr. Carlos Del Toro; French Minister of Armed Forces Mr. Lecornu Sebastien and Mongolian Defence Minister Gen Saikhanbyar Gursed were among the foreign dignitaries who visited the NWM last year.

Nation Building events

The iconic monument fosters initiatives for national integration and provides a platform to organize events to enthuse the spirit of nation-building. Stage show ‘Kargil: Ek Shaurya Gaatha’ by the National School of Drama and the painting exhibition by Lalit Kala Akademi, on the theme ‘Shaurya Gaatha’, were organized, which witnessed a large number of visitors. Eminent sportspersons, including Olympians and National Sports and Adventure awardees, visited the NWM to pay their respects.

Validating the significance and prominence of the NWM as a national monument, recipients of the coveted civilian honors – Padma awards, Lalit Kala & Sangeet Kala Akademi awards, and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards – visited the Memorial the last year to pay their solemn tributes to the fallen soldiers.

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