The National War Memorial: Hailing the real heroes – Independence Day Special

The iconic India Gate in Lutyens’ Delhi was constructed in 1931 by the erstwhile British Empire to commemorate India’s Battle Casualties (Fatal) during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It stands tall as a must-visit monument for visitors in New Delhi. Out of over 83,000 Indians who laid down their lives, India Gate bears 13,516 names etched all over the monument.

Merger of Amar Jawan Jyoti

An inverted bayonet with a helmet structure along with Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ) was installed overnight under the Arch of India Gate in January 1972 to commemorate India’s victory in India – Pakistan War 1971 and as Nation’s tribute to our brave soldiers who laid down their lives. After the inception of the National War Memorial, the AJJ merged with the eternal flame of the National War Memorial on January 21, 2022. Wreaths have been laid at AJJ ever since by dignitaries at various occasions, including by foreign dignitaries.

Significance

• The war memorial is a building, monument, statue or edifice to celebrate a war or victory or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war
• It provides an opportunity for the visitors to develop a conscious connection with the site, with the institution and people in whose memory the structure is built
• The memorial attempts to invoke a deep and moving experience and serves as a symbol of inspiration for future generations
• Since-Independence, more than 26,000 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have made the supreme sacrifice to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the country
• The National War Memorial thus represents the gratitude of a nation to its Armed Forces. The memorial will help strengthen the sense of belonging, high moral values, sacrifice and national pride in our citizens
• It shall stand testimony to the sacrifices made by our soldiers during various conflicts, United Nations Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations since Independence

Decision to Construct National War Memorial

The requirement to construct a National War Memorial had been under consideration since 1961 at the apex level. The consideration acquired momentum in 2014 and after a deliberate process, the Union Cabinet, on October 7, 2015, approved the construction of National War Memorial & Museum (NWM&M) within the National capital’s Lutyens’ zone. The Central Government allocated Rs. 500 crores for the construction of the National War Memorial, but this project was completed in only 176 crores. Taking into consideration the existing ceremonial practices at India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti, area East of the India Gate around the Canopy at ‘C’ Hexagon in New Delhi was found to be the most suited site for the memorial.