“I’ll join back army in my next birth”, and he signs off…

Noida: On the foggy and shivering winter morning of December 21st, Noida witnessed the grand celebration of Vijay Diwas at Shaheed Smarak. It was a colourful ceremony where thousands thronged to watch the wreath-laying ceremony, which was carried out with military precision with tri-service guards, buglers and a band in attendance.

Numbness in the eyes of families of martyrs who graced the occasion were visible when the heroic story of their beloved was recalled and when one of each martyr’s family members was called to lay the wreath.

The Chief Guest, Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Lt General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, Major General SS Ahlawat, ADG, (Supply and Transport) and Rear Adm Nirbhay Bapna, VSM, ACNS (Foreign Collaboration), representing the Indian Army and Indian Navy respectively were present there.

Thereafter, the next of kin of gallant martyrs, Lt General GL Bakshi, PVSM, chairman of Sanstha, Ms Tarini Rawat, Col JP SINGH, Col CK Sharma, Col IP Singh and JWO RC Singh; heads of Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions; DCP Harish Chander civil dignitaries, defence personnel, veterans, Mrs Jayoti Rana, Mrs Nandita Sinha Roy, Principals of Army Public school and Cambridge school and their students; and common citizens laid the wreath.

Earlier, the chief guest was received by the chairman, Lt General GL Bakshi, and Lt General SK Singh, Executive Director. The ceremonial tri-service guard and buglers led by Sergent Anil Kumar carried out the procedure with military precision.

Welcoming the Chief Guest, the chairman expressed his gratitude on the behalf of Sanstha. He 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 martyrs and the only memorial which represents Army, Navy and Air Force.

He thanked three service headquarters, Delhi Area, Signal Regiment, Noida Authority, Noida police, Army Public School and heads of Arun Vihar and Jal Vayu Vihar for their assistance and donations. He praised the media for their contribution too.

After releasing the ‘Glimpses of Events’ docket, the chief guest appreciated the high standard of the function and congratulated the dedicated team of Sanstha. He says, “I salute all the brave hearts, whose names are enshrined in the honour roll of this memorial. The nation is indebted forever for their selfless service, patriotism and the supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty”. He saluted the families of gallant martyrs and assured them that their loved ones will never be forgotten for their sacrifices made for our nation".

Kamini Singh, the wife of the chief guest, interacted with the families of martyrs.

Speaking to media, Cdr Narinder Mahajan, Director of PR and Media, Shaheed Smarak informed that the Annual Day function will be celebrated on February 6th, 2023 and souvenir of Smarak will be released by the Admiral R Hari Kumar, chief of the naval staff.

Tripta Thapar, mother of Vijyant Thapar, VrC 2RAJRIF, 1999, Kargil, recalls her son and says, “Vijay Diwas is very important in my life. This is not like this is only for 1962, 1965, and 1971 war memorials, or for those who have lost their loved ones, but is also a day to recall the memory of the 38 martyrs. We remember them and we pay our tribute to them.”

She says, “He was going on the attack and wrote a letter for me in his last minutes. He wrote – “By the time you will read the letter, I will be observing you from above”. The most important thing he wrote - I will join back army in my next birth.”

Nargis Naqvi, Wife of SQN LDR IH Naqvi, Siachin says, “He is with us…this kind of ceremonies which consists of veterans, civilians etc give us a sense of belongingness. This country remembers those who gave their lives to the country. We feel proud. This feeling is beyond our words.”

Uma Nauriyal, wife of Major A. Nauriyal, KC, 4/1GR 1990 Punjab says, “He is alive somewhere. When the community remembers them, they get inspired to do something. This is a symbolic day for every brave person who has done something for the nation. We feel emotional on this day. My family feels proud of being called martyrs family.”