1. BJP launches 2024 Lok Sabha Election campaign with the slogan “Modi ko chunte hai.”
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president JP Nadda unveil the theme song, “Sapne Nahi Haqeeqat Bunte Hai, Tabhi Toh Sab Modi Ko Chunte Hai.”
3. The campaign focuses on highlighting Modi’s transformative leadership and turning dreams into reality.
New Delhi, Jan 26: On the morning of Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial, initiating the official start of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.
Leading the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes, PM Modi laid a wreath before heading to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
The arrival of President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron was escorted by the President’s Bodyguard – ‘Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak,’ the senior-most Regiment of the Indian Army, celebrating its 250 years of service.
The two presidents arrived in the ‘Traditional Buggy,’ a practice making a comeback after a 40-year gap.
Following tradition, the National Flag was unfurled, accompanied by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute with the indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns. A band performance called ‘Aavaahan’ by over 100 women artists, symbolizing Nari Shakti, preceded the parade, with the president taking the salute.
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National War Memorial: A Monument to Honor Fallen Heroes
The National War Memorial, situated east of India Gate, serves as a structure honoring wars, victories, and those who died or were injured in conflicts post-1947.
India Gate, constructed in 1931 by the British Empire, commemorates the Battle Casualties of India during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
The National War Memorial stands as a symbol of the nation’s gratitude to its Armed Forces, testifying to their sacrifices in diverse conflicts, United Nations Operations, Humanitarian Assistance, and Disaster Response Operations since Independence.
Over 26,000 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of the country’s sovereignty and integrity since Independence.
Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial
Installed under the Arch of India Gate in January 1972 to commemorate India’s victory in the India-Pakistan War 1971, Amar Jawan Jyoti, featuring an inverted bayonet with a helmet structure, merged with the eternal flame of the National War Memorial on January 21, 2022.
This eternal flame pays homage to the unknown soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The Amar Jawan Jyoti represents the undying spirit of these brave soldiers, and its integration with the National War Memorial adds another layer of significance to the monument.
As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day, the National War Memorial stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces, symbolizing the nation’s resilience and gratitude for the defenders of its freedom and democracy. The solemn ceremonies and parades reflect the unity and pride of the nation on this historic occasion.
