Immortalising India’s Martyrs: PM Modi Lights Eternal Flame As He Inaugurates National War Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial built near India Gate in New Delhi on Monday (25 February).

The inauguration involved the Prime Minister lighting an eternal flame below the main obelisk, while rose petals were showered by helicopters flying above.

A long standing demand of over forty years, the National War Memorial honouring India’s martyrs was finally approved in 2015.

A video guide to the memorial was also released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The memorial has been designed in the form of four concentric circles around the main obelisk shaped like the Dharmachakra.

In the first Chakra named as Amar Chakra, will burn an eternal flame. The nextChakra, the Veerta Chakra will describe the six battles India fought post-Independence.

The third Chakra, the Tyaag Chakra has the names of more than 22,000 fallen Indian soldiers on granite plaques.

Finally the Raksha Chakra which is a circle of trees depicts a soldier protecting the nation. It will also house a bust engraved with the names of all Param Vir Chakra winners.

The entry to the memorial is free for all with time restrictions at the main area and Param Yodha Sthal.