Shaheed Smarak Sansthan in Sector 29, Noida, celebrated Vijay Diwas on December 26. Chief guest Air Marshal SB Deo paid homage to 38 martyrs.
The chief guest was received by Lt Gen GL Bakshi and Lt Gen Gorakh Nath, executive director of the Sanstha.
Army representative Major General Rajesh Rana, ADG, OS (TS), and Rear Admiral Kishan K Pandey, AVSM,VSM, laid down the wreaths on behalf of the Army and the Navy.
The function was carried out with military precision with tri service guard, buglers and band in attendance.
Noida Authority chairman, DM, SSP, families of martyrs, civil and military dignitaries, including IAS and IPS personnel, ex-servicemen, schoolchildren and common citizens also paid their homage.
Later, Air Marshal SB Deo met with the families of the martyrs and released a souvenir, Glimpses of Events 2016. Children of the Army Public School, Noida, sang patriotic songs.
Narinder Mahajan, a member of the Saheed Smarak Sansthan, explained to City Spidey that main intent of this annual function is to bring the soldiers and the civilians on a common platform, and inspire the youths to serve the country.
The smarak is the first tri-service memorial in the country. It was dedicated to the nation by the then three service chiefs in April 2002.
The memorial, situated opposite to Army Public School in Sector 37, is maintained and run by the Sanstha with donations from the residents, the Noida Authority, and various units of the three services.