Noida : In a solemn and emotionally charged ceremony, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, paid tribute to 45 brave martyrs of Gautam Buddh Nagar on Saturday, February 23, 2026. The 24th Shraddhanjali Samaroh was conducted with full military decorum, reflecting the highest traditions of the armed forces.
The ceremony began at 3:30 pm with a tri-service guard and buglers marking the occasion with ceremonial precision. The atmosphere turned deeply poignant as family members of the fallen heroes offered floral wreaths and shared stories of courage and sacrifice. Grief and pride were visibly intertwined on their faces, underscoring the immeasurable cost of service to the nation.
Senior military leadership in attendance
Following Admiral Tripathi’s tribute, senior officers of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force laid wreaths on behalf of their respective services.
- Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area
- Major General Puneet Aggarwal, SDG OS (B)
- Air Vice Marshal Anand Sondhi, AVSM, VSM
Commodore Vishal Rawal, Commanding Officer, INS India and Station Commander (Navy), also paid homage, reaffirming the Navy’s solidarity with the families.
The ceremony symbolised unified respect from all three services, reinforcing the spirit of jointmanship.
Families remember their heroes
Wreaths were later offered by the families of decorated officers and soldiers, including:
- Captain Vijayant Thapar, VrC
- Major Uday Singh, SC, SM
- Major A. Nauriyal, KC
- Captain D.S. Ahlawat, MVC
- General Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM
Wreaths were also laid in memory of several Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Colonel H.C. Sharma, SM(G), paid tribute to unknown soldiers, acknowledging the countless unnamed heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Civil and institutional participation
The ceremony was attended by senior veterans, civil administration officials and institutional representatives, including:
- Lieutenant General G.L. Bakshi, President of the institution
- Y. Prasad
- Manisha Singh
- Representatives from Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions
- Principals and students from the Army Public School and the Cambridge School
- Officials from the PNB Circle Office and Global Coal and Mining Limited
The presence of serving officers, veterans, police officials, educators and students reflected broad-based community participation.
India’s first Tri-Service Memorial
In his welcome address, the President of the Shaheed Smarak institution emphasized that while India has several war memorials, the Noida Shaheed Smarak holds a unique distinction as the country’s first and only tri-service memorial built by a city to honour its war martyrs representing the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He acknowledged the support extended by service headquarters, Delhi Area, Signal Regiment, Noida Authority, Noida Police, Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions and Army Public School. Media support was also appreciated for sustaining public awareness of the memorial’s legacy.
Souvenir release and address by Navy Chief
After the release of Smarika 2026, a commemorative publication chronicling the martyrs’ sacrifices and the memorial’s history, Admiral Tripathi addressed the gathering.
We honour the courage and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve have safeguarded our nation and brought us pride.
Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
He praised the institution behind the Noida Shaheed Smarak for preserving this sacred space and fostering collective remembrance within the community.
The ceremony concluded with a disciplined tri-service salute led by Petty Officer Gurvinder Singh, bringing the 24th commemoration to a dignified close.
As the bugles faded, the message remained clear, the sacrifices of Gautam Buddh Nagar’s 45 martyrs continue to live on in the memory of a grateful nation.