All About National War Memorial: Its Third Anniversary Celebrations

SSBCrackExams
February 25, 2022
1060

The National War Memorial (NWM) will celebrate its third anniversary on February 25, 2022. To mark the occasion, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna along with the Vice Chiefs of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will lay wreath at the NWM and pay homage to the fallen bravehearts of the Nation. Inter Services Band along with students’ band of VSPK International School, Rohini, New Delhi will enthral the audience. The evening will conclude with the Next-of-Kin (NoK) ceremony, during which NoK of a fallen hero will lay wreath at the Memorial, remembering the supreme sacrifice made by the soldier.

It may be recalled that the initiative to have school bands to perform at the NWM was taken with the objective of inculcating the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage and sacrifice among the school children and increasing the participation of people, especially the youth, so that they experience the various facets associated with the iconic war memorial.

The first school band to perform at the NWM on February 23, 2022 was Shri Thakurdwara Balika Vidyalaya, Ghaziabad. The NoK ceremony, which was suspended due to COVID-19, also resumed on February 23, 2022.

The NWM was dedicated to the Nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 25, 2019. It stands testimony to the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers since Independence. The 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.

Concept

The memorial complex is in harmony with the existing layout and symmetry of the majestic Rajpath and Central Vista. Solemnity of the ambience is maintained with an emphasis on landscaping and the simplicity of architecture. Apart from the main memorial, there is dedicated area for busts of soldiers who have been conferred with ‘Param Vir Chakra,’ the nation’s highest gallantry award. The design of the main memorial exemplifies that supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty not only makes him immortal but also depicts that the spirit of a soldier remains eternal. The memorial has distinct scheme of concentric circles:

Amar Chakra

Circle of Immortality. This has an Obelisk with Eternal Flame. The flame symbolises the immortality of the spirit of fallen soldiers with the assurance that the Nation will never forget their sacrifices.

Veerta Chakra

Circle of Bravery. The Third circle depicts the Bravery of Indian forces in the form of a covered gallery that exhibits six murals crafted in bronze depicting valiant battle actions of Indian Armed Forces.

Tyag Chakra

Circle of Sacrifice. The circular concentric walls of honour, which symbolise the ancient war formation ‘Chakravyuh’. The walls are clad with granite tablets where an independent granite tablet is dedicated to each soldier who has made the supreme sacrifice. Each name on the tablet is etched in golden letters.

Rakshak Chakra

Circle of Protection. The outermost circle made of rows of trees in the Rakshak Chakra is a reassurance to the citizens of the country about their safety against any threat, with each tree representing the soldiers who ensure the territorial integrity of the Nation, round the clock.

Layout of C-HexagonNational War Memorial

1 National War Memorial

2 Param Yodha Sthal

3 Canopy

4 India Gate

5 Children’s Park

6 Conveniences

The Lighting Scheme

The lighting plan is sewn into the fabric of the overall design of National War Memorial to highlight the details, materials and colours within the complete landscape. It seamlessly integrates with the architecture so as to provide an immersive and evocative environment, thus enhancing the emotive and visual experience.

The lighting design is the catalyst which transforms the monumental landscape from day to night at sunset. It provides a dynamic scheme creating a visual hierarchy by focusing on points of interest and accentuating different areas using suitable lighting fixtures. The warm white light and the lighting design creates a warm ambience for the visitors.

National War Memorial Aerial View by Night

National War Memorial Veerta Chakra by night

National War Memorial with India Gate in backdrop by night

Lighting Design Layers

Rakshak Chakra

The theme reflects solidity and duality. Lights highlight ‘Rakshaks’.

Tyag Chakra

The light illuminates inscribed names of the soldiers to highlight supreme sacrifices.

Veerta Chakra

The theme emphasises celebration of bravery and victory.

Amar Chakra

Glow & aura is created around the Obelisk and Eternal Flame as a sign of purity.

Highlights at National War Memorial

Located Due East of India Gate

Amar Chakra with the Obelisk & Eternal Flame

Param Yodha Sthal with Sprawling Lawns

Tyag Chakra with 29,760 Granite Tablets

Rakshak Chakra landscaped with Trees

Veerta Chakra with six Bronze Murals

Significance

A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or an edifice to celebrate a war or victory or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war. It provides an opportunity to the visitors to develop a conscious connect 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 symbol of inspiration for future generations.

Significance. 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.