NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL- A SHRINE FOR ALL OF US

                              

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL- A SHRINE

“The National War Memorial has been built to commemorate the sacrifice of soldiers who died for the country” -NDTV

BUT, CAN WE REALLY COMMEMORATE A SACRIFICE? CAN WE?

My daughter has appeared for her tenth class exams this year. She was working hard for last three months and when her exams were over on 29^th of March, she urged for an outing. I was curious to visit the National War Memorial myself since the Prime Minister had inaugurated the War Museum.

We did some shopping at Chandni Chowk and had tired ourselves. However, we didn’t bow to our exhausted bodies. I deliberately drove as slow as Delhi traffic could allow so that we could relax and revive in the air-conditioned ambience of our car. We reached the India Gate at 2:45 and after walking about 300 meters reached the entrance of the monument which I think, is the greatest tribute by the government to its armed forces since the independence.

As we reached the canopy after crossing the India Gate, we saw a square 'PARAM YODHA STHAL'. We decided to see it later as we're curious to visit the main structure.

The War memorial has been designed and conceptualised by WeBe Design Lab, Chennai. And, they have done a remarkable job indeed. This would remain the most prestigious and satisfying of all the assignments they would accomplish. They deserve a salute.

As we saw the three words ‘NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL’ engraved in bold letters on the not-too-high Kota stone wall, a chill ran across our spines though we were sweating profusely.

Spread in 40 acres, National War Memorial draws inspiration from the 'Chakravyuh' formation.  The main structure is in the form of four chakras (concentric circles), which signify the different values of the armed forces. The four chakras have been christened as

1.            The Amar Chakra (Circle of Mortality) comprising of the stone obelisk and the eternal flame.

2.            The Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery) is about the six battles our armed forces fought and has been depicted in bronze.

3.            The Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) holds the names of battle causalities.

4.            The Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection) is the outermost tier comprising of 695 trees symbolising the guarding soldiers.

I will not use the word Martyr because an Army officer friend educated me that a soldier is always a warrior and never a martyr.

The split walled-segments of the spiral contain the names of warriors (10 names in each column) on rectangular brown tablets with golden ink. Saunter across the sixteen walls slowly and read as many as possible out of 25,942 names that you and I might have never heard of but we do owe gratitude to. Read the rank, the service number, the name and imagine the tricolour clad soul of a smiling soldier who obliged death and died to make his life invaluable. Curse yourself if you do not hear him say, “I sacrificed my life for you. Did you deserve it?”

                           

The thoughtful positioning of a smart board where one can search the name of the warrior if he wants to, impressed me. A gentleman tried searching his name. I didn't want to mock his ignorance but did speak to myself, "On this board, no one can search his own name. Dude, only others can search you here."

As we walk down the innermost arena, we reach the nearest to the 15.5-metre-high obelisk at the centre that has an eternal flame at its bottom and four around it. A soldier stands facing it. Watch him for a few minutes and you would know of the metal that makes a soldier. 

                           

The circular coliseum has a roofed path all along its circumference. Another soldier has to stand to prevent the selfie-seeking people from reaching the obelisk- An unnecessary exertion because we Indians are more passionate about self-approbation than our soldiers are for the motherland. Six bronze murals made by the noted sculpture Ram Sutar embellish the walls of coliseum. As we completed the round and reached the pulchritudinous Gurkha soldiers, comparatively shorter and with tilted hats, at the exit of the Circle of Bravery, I stopped, shook hands with them and said, “We’re proud of you.” They reciprocated with the true spirit of soldiers while I felt their palms were made of steel. Seeing my emotional act some passers-by smiled sarcastically and, in all likelihood, might have labelled me as a hypocrite.

                             

 

After walking out of the Veerta Chakra, we found an empty bench and decided to take a short break in order to calm down our complaining limbs. The time-off, however, was not short of action. A group of fifteen, an elderly women, gentlemen, gentlewomen and children had immediately appeared in a quest to entertain us. They shrieked, squeaked, yelled, sang and slanged each other while clicking pictures in hilarious poses. Then, they sat on the tiled margins of the flower beds. A soldier walked up and politely told them not to sit on the flower bed walls. A noble-lady among them protested saying ‘Banaya hi kyun hai agar baith nahin sakte to’ (Why have those been made if we can’t sit on them). She was an aware citizen of a democratic state. The soldier stood quietly, smiling. They do, even before the stone-pelters in Kashmir.

PARAM YODHA STHAL lies adjacent to the main memorial. It is a befitting tribute to the valour of the twenty-one PARAMVIR CHAKRA Awardees. The bronze busts dedicated to the twenty-one bravest men along with the plaques citing the stories of their bravery in both Hindi and English, amidst the lush green lawns and paved pathways is a stunning place. When I walked into the gallantry gallery, the lights had been switched on and made the premises even more beautiful. Heroism has its own aura but the PARAM YODHA STHAL emanates heroism that inspires you to emulate. The mesmerising stories of these extraordinary soldiers reiterate that guns and ammunition are mere toys and their glory lies in the hands which hold them.

                                        

The place has been lavishly adorned with beautiful flowers, fountains and meticulously installed lights for appeasement of the eyes. You would always come across people who walk into the War Memorial with ignorance or ingratitude that incapacitate them to understand the purpose and sentiments behind this sacred monument. No, it’s not the patriot or nationalist in me but, if soldiers have to stand to check our conduct at a monument constructed to pay homage to our soldiers; I am compelled to write so. Please don’t go there to trouble them. Spare them at this place.

 For some of us, ‘The War Memorial’ is a picnic spot.

The departure from India Gate brought me yet another joy. We stopped to buy roasted corn. A teenage girl and an adolescent boy were assisting the middle-age hawker. When I was about to walk ahead after paying them and requesting for another coat of lemon and salt, the boy said, “Aap kya sena ya police mein hain, sir.”

(Sir, are you from army or police?)

Before replying him, I looked at my wife and kids, smiling smugly. They were as amused as I was.

“Nhin bhai. Kash aisa hota. Lekin aapne aisa bolkar dil khush kar diya” I patted his back and walked off with inflated chest.

(I wish I was. But, brother, saying so, you’ve made my day)

We returned home humbled yet happy and contended. I urge everyone to visit NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL with your family. I promise you won’t regret. And guys, there is no ticket.

                                                  

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