21st annual wreath-laying ceremony at Noida Shaheed Smarak Sanstha

Noida Shaheed Smarak Sanstha celebrated 21st Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony on February 17, 2022. The annual souvenir of Smarak was released by the Chief Guest, General Manoj Mukund Naravane. Next of Kin of martyrs from Gautam Budha Nagar, representatives of defence services, defence veterans and common man of Gautam Budha Nagar paid homage to 38 martyrs.

The wreath-laying ceremony was carried out with military precision with a tri-service guard and buglers in attendance keeping with the traditions of the Armed Forces. Everyone appreciated the ceremony.

The event became an emotional experience for next of kin as the achievements of martyrs were called out. The guests were limited due to Covid protocol and Section 144 in force.

The main purpose of the function was to bring the soldiers and the civilians on a common platform to inspire the local youth, which the common man can never entirely visualize.

Tri services Guard and buglers have also marked their attendance. Thereafter, the Chairman delivered a welcome address and the Chief of Army Staff released the annual ‘Souvenir 2022’ followed by an address of the gathering. The chief guest and representatives of three defense forces signed the visitor’s book and Mrs Veena Naravane interacted and presented gifts to NOK’s of 38 martyrs.

Chairman GL Bakshi reminded the gathering that there are many memorials in the country but Shaheed Smarak is the first and only Tri-Services Memorial in the country raised by Noida to honour its war dead which represents Army, Navy and Air Force. He thanked three service headquarters, Delhi Area, Signal Regiment, Noida Authority, Noida police, heads of Arun Vihar and Jal Vayu Vihar institutions and Army Public School for their assistance and generous donations.

In his speech, he said, "it is not easy to forget and move ahead with life easily. When in a family anyone reaches martyrdom, it is hard for a family to forget the person lifetime. time does not heal, the pain continues. When the families of martyrs meet together, they feel light, they feel their pain is not the thing which they alone are dealing with. The pain is equal but they get a shoulder to relax on for a minute and this gave them power. This ceremony is held every year to make the youth understand how precious life is and how important families are.

After releasing ‘Souvenir 2022’, the chief guest, General Manoj Mukund Narvane appreciated the high standard of the function and congratulated the dedicated team of Sanstha. He assured that the welfare of the families of martyrs and veterans are paramount in the minds of service Headquarters. He said, "Being in the army, is the epitome of courage. Naam, namak, nishaan... this is what the soldier lives with and dies with." He gave best wishes to everyone.

 During interaction with media, Cdr Narinder Mahajan intimated that the event has been solely organised and coordinated by a retired defence fraternity, who all are above 70 years.

He also informed that a Candle Light ceremony will be held on 13 April 22, the day the memorial was dedicated to the nation by then, three Services Chiefs.

CitySpidey interacted with noks to know about their reaction after the event-

Major General D K Sen said, "It is an honour to be a part of this ceremony, we feel great when we all meet and pay homage together. Everyone should respect their country and should respect the life of the soldier".

Dr Abhilasha Gupta, Principal, AIE, Greater Noida said, "The shaheed Smarak maintains its decorum so well and every year we bring our students to this ceremony so they become patriotic and have the sense of losing the ones you love for country can be felt by them and they learn to respect their own family. We come here to pay homage to those warriors who lost their lives for our country."

Nargis Naqvi, W/O Shaheed Sqn Ldr I H Naqvi said, " Visiting the memorial always makes me feel proud to be his wife and this kind of function at the memorial keep our head high. He was so brave and dedicated his life to serving the nation for the safety of the motherland. Shaheed Memorial function is very well organised by organisers I salute them for their love and respect to all martyrs families."

Uma Nauriyal wife of shaheed Major Anurag Nauriyal, says "Respecting the martyrs gives us the right to live with head high and encourages us to teach all the generations to live for the nation and to die for the nation. This gave us the feeling that one who dies for the nation, is always alive in the hearts of every countryman".

Mrs Thapar says, "This is the matter of pride and with this, we lay the wreath and pay homage to our loved ones. This pain unites all of us and we look forward that our generations too join the army and make the name of forefathers shine bright."

Madhuri Dhingra wife of ex marshal A.Dhingra says,

"We come here on his birthdays and anniversaries, and feel that my husband is somewhere near to me. We all are connected with our feelings and sentiments."