Express remembers India’s war heroes

First of its kind in the region, the memorial will include the names of all soldiers from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, who had laid down their lives for the country since Independence. Speaking on the occasion, Gen Jacob said that the memorial would be a fitting tribute to the valiant soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice.

Commenting that soldiers are remembered in times of war but forgotten in times of peace, he lauded the The Indian Express group in leading the citizens’ initiative.

Congratulating the students and faculty of College of Architecture here who designed the memorial, Gen Jacob noted that conceptual plan of the war memorial was refreshingly original. ‘‘I am sure that this well-designed memorial will be a fitting tribute for the fallen.’’ Jacob said when completed that this Memorial will be revered by all citizens of this region who will never forget the names inscribed.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express Group, Shekhar Gupta, said that the initiative was merely a token of gratitude towards the soldiers who had laid down their lives for the country. He recalled that the Group had helped in building a similar memorial at Pune.

Gupta lauded the efforts of Gen Jacob and the Chandigarh Administration for earmarking the site and undertaking the construction of the Memorial. He said that all the funds required for the project would be collected by The Indian Express Group.

At the function, Gupta also announced an initial contribution of Rs 1 lakh on behalf of the group. Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen V P Malik appreciated the concept and thanked Gen Jacob and The Indian Express Group for conceiving and implimenting the project. He said it would be a fitting tribute to the brave soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

The design for the memorial has been prepared by two students of the local College of Architecture, Nanki Singh and Shivani Guglani. In all, about a dozen models were prepared by the students of the college on an initiative taken by Gen Jacob.