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| CM assures peace in J&K before martyrs’ memorial | | Army hands over a towering gift to Jammuites | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, NOV 24: Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah has lauded the role of Indian Army in safeguarding the borders of country and rendering help and succour to the people during natural calamities and other disastrous situations.
The Chief Minister was inaugurating Balidan Sthambh (The Pillar of Sacrifice) on Tuesday which has been built by Indian Army here as a soldiers’ memorial to mainly honour those who made supreme sacrifice in wars and counter terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Yet, the memorial tower also signifies national integration and the time tested bonds between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Armed Forces.
The plush memorial was handed over to the Chief Minister by the Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor at an impressive ceremony attended by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Ministers of State, Mr. Shabir Ahmed Khan and Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Devendar Singh Rana, Chief Secretary, Mr. SS Kapur, GOC Western Command, Lt. Gen T K Sapru, GOC Northern Command, Lt. Gen BS Jaswal, Director General Police, Mr. Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, senior army, police and civil officers and above all family members of the martyrs who make shall always make the entire ranks of armed forces proud.
Omar Abdullah said that the memorial will always remind the people of the great sacrifices made by the jawans and provide citizens an opportunity to pay homage to their martyrs. “The memorial, I hope would emerge as a tourist place in the coming days and visitors would make it a point to stop here for a while”, he said.
The Chief Minister referring to the role of Army in helping civil administration to ensure peace and maintenance of law and order in the challenging situation in Jammu and Kashmir, said that Army never asked for anything while maintaining internal security, though it was meant to protect the frontiers and fight the enemies in the wake of aggression alone for which they have actually been trained. “It is the situation which compels the civil government to call Army for meeting the exigencies and protect the lives of citizens”, he said.
Mr Omar said that state and centre governments are working together to restore permanent peace and stability to the state so that every citizen breaths in the free atmosphere of peace and tranquility. “We want to create a situation where no armyman will be required for the protection of the people on internal front”, he said.
Mr Omar thanked the Army for building the befitting memorial in Jammu in honour of brave soldiers and officers who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty and in keeping with best traditions of the force. He remembered how work on the sprawling memorial began since the time of former Chief of Army Staff, General NC Vij. The Chief Minister said General Vij was originator and prime mover of the project which has ultimately come up as a marvelous monument. Omar urged upon the authorities to always maintain the grandeur, cleanliness and ambience of the memorial and its surrounding gardens dedicated by the Indian Army to people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapur thanked the Chief Minister for presiding over the function and inaugurating the memorial. General Kapur paid rich tributes to the valiant Army jawans who laid down their lives while protecting the honour and security of the country and its people. “The martyrs will always be remembered” he said adding that Balidan Sthambh would inspire the youth to inculcate the spirit of patriotism.
The GOC Western Command Lt. General T K Sapru welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the efforts put in by the army especially now retired General Vij for the construction of the memorial in the heart of Jammu city.
The Balidan Sthambh is about a 60 metre tall tower, prodding the skyline like a bayoneted rifle. Its towering height may serve as an epitome of unsurpassable resolve, valour, dedication and selfless service by the martyred armymen to their country. At the base of the tower burns an eternal flame, a timeless commemoration of the supreme sacrifice made by the brave martyrs on the soil of Jammu and Kashmir, while upholding the unity and integrity of India.
The memorial tower is surrounded by three layers of water bodies, each flowing at varying levels to signify the gradual alleviation of grief of the near and dear ones of the martyrs. The first water body is calm and still denotes dignity and pride, while the central water body flows into the lower level representing the energy of eternal life. Soft lilting melody wafted by the musical fountains fills the air as it finds accompaniment from still softer gurgle of waters.
As a befitting backdrop to the majestic tower, is an immaculate black granite wall on which, the history of each of the wars fought in Jammu and Kashmir since Independence is engraved, recounting an unparalleled saga of exemplary defence of the country by often bleeding bravemen of the Army.
A virtual garland of 52 memorial pillars adorns the front of the main memorial tower. On these, the names of all martyrs are etched on stone in golden colour, bearing testimony of their selfless and ultimate sacrifice.
The memorial rises up from lush green lawns, lending it a serene ambience as one walks up to the base of the tower to pay homage to the martyrs.
The function began by the unveiling of the inaugural plaque by Chief Minister. The three Cheetah helicopters of the Indian Air Force at this point flew over raining down flower petals all over to overwhelm the gathering.
Soon this was followed by the lighting of the eternal flame. The dignitaries present laid floral wreaths at the new memorial. The Chief Minister and his father and Union Minister, Dr Farroq Abdullah, inked the visitor’s book with their tribute to departed martyrs and their valued service to not only the State and its people but the entire nation.
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