Honouring the brave soldiers of our nation who have risen to every challenge in full strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial (NWM) on February 25. He lit the eternal flame at the bottom of the obelisk to pay tribute to all the soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.
The project, which was sanctioned in 2015, is spread over 40 acres. Four concentric circles - Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality), Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Charkra (Circle of Sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection) - form the foundation of the National War Memorial. Alongside a central obelisk and an eternal flame, six bronze murals showcasing the famous battles fought by the Armed Forces enamour this momentous location.
The Tyag Chakra features the names of 25,942 soldiers who have died for India over the years. Their names are inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern to pay homage to the ancient war formation from the Mahabharata, Chakravyuh. We often forget the luxuries our soldiers waive in order to protect us round the clock. As a tribute to their unyielding dedication, more than 600 trees have been planted in the Rakshak Chakra to symbolise the countless men who stand tall through all the adversities on the borders.
A visit to this one-of-a-kind war memorial needs to make keeping certain things in mind. Make sure to pay respect to sanctity of the location. Selfies are a big no-no. Let's honour the army men in a way deserving of the sacrifice they make every day.
Where Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule Marg Area, India Gate, New Delhi
Entry There is no entry fee to the National War Memorial. You can visit the NWM between 9 am to 630 pm (November to March) and 9 am to 730 pm (April to October).