War Memorial right place for Amar Jawan Jyoti, say veterans
Hyderabad: Several ex-servicemen in the city have welcomed the decision to merge the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate with the Eternal Flame at the adjoining National War Memorial in New Delhi.
Stating that the National War Memorial has names of all the Indian defence personnel who have lost their lives in different operations from the 1947-48 war with Pakistan to the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops, the veterans feel that memorial is the most appropriate place for the Jyoti.
Major Vijay Uppal, who fought in the 1965 and 1971 war against Pakistan, points out, “The India Gate was built by the British Raj for the soldiers who laid down their lives during the first and second World Wars. No government ever built another memorial for those who have sacrificed their lives for Independent India. Now that we have a National War Memorial, I feel it is appropriate to keep the flame at the place that honours all the soldiers of the country.”
Resonating the view, Major General Ananta Bhanu Gorthi, who is decorated with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), reasons that the National War Memorial is the right place for Amar Jawan Jyoti. “The Amar Jawan Jyoti was established after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 to commemorate the martyred soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who died during the war. However, there have been several soldiers who have laid down their lives for the nation. The National War Memorial was made for all the martyrs and their names are inscribed on its wall. I believe that is where the Amar Jawan Jyoti should be kept.”
Although some political parties have argued that shifting the flame is an insult to the martyrs, Wing Commander TJ Reddy, recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal, says, “The government is not putting out the Jyoti at India Gate, they are simply merging it with the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial. I feel the shifting of the flame is a natural progression.”
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