(Image source from: en.wikipedia.org)

In a break from tradition, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to pay homage to the fallen soldiers on the Republic Day, at the National war Memorial that is newly built in New Delhi rather than paying homage at Amar Jawan Jyothi which is situated beneath the India Gate arch where the ceremony had been conducted so far, said the officials.

The National War Memorial has been inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Februaury 25 last year and it turned out to be the iconic memorial that stands tall as a must visit monument for visitors in New Delhi.

A senior official of the army has said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the National War Memorial on January 26 which is Republic Day. The Prime Minister is expected to visit the National War Memorial in the morning before the commencement of the Republic Day Parade and will lead the nation in paying homage to the soldiers. It is also said that a wreath will be laid at the memorial by Narendra Modi in the presence of three service chiefs and Chief of the Defence Staff.

The National War Memorial was built at the ‘C’ Hexagon near India Gate, in the memory of 22,500 Indian soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country after Independence.

The National war Memorial comprises of four concentric circles which are named as the Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra and the fourth one being the Rakshak Chakra and is spread over 40 acres approximately. The names of the soldiers who laid their life for the country have been inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets.

The Veerta Chakra is said to include a central 15.5-m obelisk, an eternal flame and six murals made of bronze which depicts the famous battles that have been fought by the Army of India, Indian Navy and air Force in a covered gallery.

The memorial has been dedicated to the Indo-China war that has taken place in 1962, the wars that took place between India and Pakistan in the years 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil conflict in 1999 and is also dedicated to the ones in the peacekeeping missions of the UN.

The Republic Day parade will be witnessing the anti- satellite missile which will be tested under Mission Shakti by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which will be standing as the major attraction at the parade. The 155- mm Dhanush towed howitzer that has been recently inducted will be showcased by the Army.

The Chief of Staff of the Delhi area Major Geneneral Alok Kacker has said that the Republic Day is said to have 16 marching contingents this year which includes six from the Army 22 tableaux from various States and departments. A mounted column of 61 cavalry with eight mechanized columns and six marching contingents along with a fly-past by the Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of Army Aviation would represent the Army of India. Captain Tanya Shergill is said to lead the Army’s Signal Corps contingent.

By Shrithika Kushangi