Naval chief pays homage to 39 martyrs of Gautam Budh Nagar

Noida: The eyes of all those who graced the occasion were numb after watching next of kins paying homage to their beloved family member and watching 22nd Annual Day wreath laying ceremony, which was carried out with military precision with tri service guard and buglers in attendance. Numbness in the eyes of families of martyrs and all those present was clearly visible, when the heroic story of their beloved was recalled and the martyrs' family members were called to lay a wreath.

At 10am on Monday, 06 February 23, the chief guest, Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff, paid homage followed by Maj Gen H Singh, ADG EME and AVM RS Singh, VSM, ACAS (P&D) on behalf of Army and Air force, respectively; and Commodore Satish Shenai, Commanding Officer, INS India. 

Thereafter, kin of 21 gallant martyrs, Dr Nihal Naqvi,  Savita Singh with son, Rajna Mehra,  Uma Nauriyal, Flt Lt JP Sharma, Vijender Thapar, Col JR Trikha, Dr Manjri Tiwari,  Kamala Sharma, Col MP Chhibber,  Satender Gujjar,  Kartar Singh,  Ravinder,  Mahesh Chand, Gajender Bhati, Sonu Bhati, Chahat Ram Bhati,  Arjun Singh,  Gajraj Bhati,  Krishna Kumar and  Saroj Kumari; Brigadier Sushil Kumar Sikka, SM (G) for the Unknown Soldiers; , Lt Gen GL Bakshi, Chairman of Sanstha, DCP Noida Harish Chander , Col K Katyal, Zila Sainik Board ; Brig Ashok Hak, Lt Col CK Sharma and JP Singh, AVM Pardeep Kumar and CPO N C Sharma; heads of Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions;  Jyoti Rana, Principal and Ananya Mandola, student of Army Public School,  Anamika Verma, Principal and Sonali, student of Nai Disha School, civil dignitaries, IAS and IPS officers, defence personnel, veterans, and common citizens laid the wreath.

Earlier, the chief guest was received by the Chairman, Lt Gen GL Bakshi and the Executive Director, Lt Gen SK Singh. The ceremonial tri service guard and buglers. JCO Ravinder Singh carried out the procedure with military precision.
The chairman welcomed the chief guest and distinguished gathering  and expressed his gratitude on the behalf of Sanstha for being the chief guest. 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 its war dead and 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. He praised the media for their valuable contribution.

After releasing ‘Souvenir 2023’ the chief guest appreciated the high standard of the function and congratulated the dedicated team of Sanstha. He wrote, “Honoured to be present at the Noida Shaheed Smarak to pay homage to our Predecessors who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. We are very proud of you and inspired to defend our nation to the last breath. God be with you. Jai Hind” He added that such Smaraks should be made all over the country.

The chief guest interacted with the families of martyrs and distributed gifts to NOKs of PBOR, on behalf of Sanstha. The running commentary was given by  Suniti Kharbanda and Col Sanjay Kharbanda.