Vijay Diwas 2023: Shaheed Smarak Sanstha commemorated the victory of the Indian Forces over Pakistan during the 1971 war in Noida with a floral tribute.
Lieutenant General C Bansi Ponnappa, PVSM, AVSM, VSM; Adjutant General, Indian Army, paid homage to 41 martyrs of Gautam Budh Nagar, during celebrations of Vijay Divas by Shaheed Smarak Sanstha. It was followed by Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, VSM, GOC Delhi Area, Rear Admiral I S Grewal, Assistance Chief of Material and AVM Manoj Kumar Mehra, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, representing Indian Navy and Indian Airforce respectively.
Thereafter, next of kins of 27 gallant martyrs of Gautam Budh Nagar, Brig Vivek Sohal, SM(G) (Retired), Lt General GL Bakshi, PVSM (Retired), Chairman of Shaheed Smarak Sanstha, Manish Misra Add DCP, Brigadier Ashok Hak, Chairman AVRWA, Colonel Prashant Gupta, President, AVCC, Colonel JP Singh, President, AVI, Colonel Vishnu Lalchandani, Chairman, JVSAS and CPO NC Sharma, Vice President of JVCC, (all retired); Mrs Indrani Neogi, Mrs Preeti Sirohi and Mr Sanjeev Philip, Principals of Army Public School, Cambridge and Khaitan School respectively; and their students; and common citizens laid the wreath.
The Chairman and Lt General SK Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, Executive Director along with members of the Executive Committee received the chief guest. The ceremonial tri-service guard and buglers led by Hawaladar Harwinder Singh carried out the procedure with military precision.
Numbness in the eyes of families of martyrs who graced the occasion was visible when the heroic story of their beloved was recalled and when one of each martyr’s family members was laying a wreath. The spectators highly appreciated the colourful wreath-laying ceremony.
The choir of Students of Army Public School led by Mr Nagar, gave a scintillating performance, which was applauded by everyone.
Welcoming the chief guest, representative from service Headquarters and distinguished gathering, he informed that the Smarak is due to the support of service headquarters, Noida authorities, Local police, Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions and Army Public School.
After releasing ‘Glimpses of Events’ 2022-23, the chief guest appreciated the high standard of the function and complimented the dedicated team of Sanstha. He assured the families of gallant martyrs that their loved ones will never be forgotten for their sacrifices made for our nation.
Mrs Rekha Mehra interacted with the next of kin of martyrs.
During interaction with the gathering, the military band led by Nb Sub Laxaman Singh played beautiful and inspiring marshal tunes. It was applauded by one and all. The running commentary was given by Mrs Suniti and Sanjay Kharbanda.
Speaking to the media, Commander Narinder Mahajan, (Retired) Director of PR & Media, informed that the Annual Day function will be celebrated in mid-February 2024 and the prestigious souvenir of Smarak, 2024 will be released by the Chief of Air Staff.
On 13 April 2002, the only Tri-Service Memorial in the country was dedicated to the nation by then, three service chiefs. It was built by the residents of Gautam Budh Nagar, with the active assistance of Noida Authority; led by retired Defence Services personnel drawn from all three Services, after Kargil War casualties in 1999.
It is an eloquent tribute and homage to the martyrs of Gautam Budh Nagar (At present 41 martyrs).
About the memorial
The memorial has become an iconic landmark of Noida that no visitor can ever miss. It is situated on the Shaheed Smarak Marg, opposite the Army Public School, Sector 29, Noida. Vintage equipment like the 40 mm L 60Air Defence guns, model of the warship INS CHENNAI, Naval Surface-to-Air missiles and an ISKRA Jet Trainer aircraft, of Polish origin, are part of the memorial. Recently Waterfalls have been added.
Shaheed Smarak Sanstha is the feast to the eyes
The landscaping of the Smarak is a feast to the eyes, with beautiful Dhoob grass and a six-foot wide pathway running all the way around. It is maintained by the dedicated team of the Shaheed Smarak Sanstha. The maintenance and running of Sanstha is through voluntary individual donations from veterans and civilian members of the community, formations and units of the three Services and by the Noida Authority.
Next of kin are invited to these formal functions
In honour of the martyrs, Next of Kins are invited to the following three formal functions organised every year:
Dedication Day- A Candle Light ceremony is held on 13 April. On this day, the memorial was dedicated to the nation by then, three service chiefs.
Vijay Divas in December – The chief guest is normally the Vice Chief of Army/Navy/Air Force.
Annual Day in February – The chief guest is one of the service chiefs. In Feb 2024, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, and the Chief of Air Staff, will release the Souvenir.
In addition, floral tributes are paid on Independence and Republic Day.
The main purpose of the above functions is to bring the soldier and the civilian together on a common platform to inspire the local youth, which the common man can never entirely visualize. The ceremony is carried out with military precision and in a solemn and dignified manner, in keeping with the traditions of the Armed Forces.