The glory of Shaheed Smarak Park went few notches higher on Saturday morning as nearly three hundred serving and retired officers of Army, Navy and Air Force, dressed in their respective uniforms, assembled to pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.
It was an event driven by emotions where the officers, who graced the occasion, remembered the heroes of the nation with wet eyes. They recalled the heroics of the martyrs with all pride. Each martyr’s family members were called to lay the wreath at Saheed Smarak located in the middle of the park.
Many retired soldiers, who were above the age of 80, wore their uniforms with great respect. Although their uniforms were not as fitted as it used to be when they were doing service for the nation but the medals, that they wore on the chest, were enough to swell them with pride and filled them with great energies.
The wreath were also laid by 20 family members of gallant martyrs, civil dignitaries, the officials of Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, defence personnel and veterans. Students of Army Public School and New Disha school of Noida along with school staff members also marked the occasion.
The glittering ceremony was organised by Saheed Smarak Sanstha, Noida to celebrate Vijay Divas and it was presided by Vice Admiral, Ajit Kumar P as chief guest. The celebration began with receiving of the chief guest by chairman (Saheed Smarak Sanstha) Lieutenant General (Retired), G L Bakshi along with Lieutenant General (Retired) S K Singh and Lieutenant General, Y P Khurana.
It followed by the ceremonial tri-service guard and buglers led by Lt Pramod Kumar.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of Saheed Smarak Sanstha, chairman Lt. 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.
“I thank three service headquarter, 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,” said Lt. Bakshi.
Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P congratulated the dedicated team of Sanstha after releasing the ‘Glimpses of Events’ docket.
He said, “I am glad to be here for such a grateful occasion and assure that Noida Saheed Smarak Sanstha will be getting full support from service headquarters in future too.” He added, “I assure the families of gallant martyrs that their loved ones will never be forgotten for their sacrifices made for our nation.”
Speaking to media, Cdr Narinder Mahajan, Director PR & Media, informed that the Annual Day function will be celebrated on 16 February 2019 and souvenir of Smarak will be released by the Chief Guest, General Bipin Rawat, YM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC chief of the army staff.
