The India Post, Chandigarh 30th January, 2009 :People from different walks of life today gathered at the Chandigarh War Memorial to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland.
The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, Mrs. Jean Rodrigues and Goc-in-C, Western Command, Lt. Gen. T.K. Sapru, YSM, along with retired Army Officers laid wreaths on the War Memorial, decorated with multi-colour flowers in Bougainvillea Garden. The armed forces contingent sounded the last post and reversed arms, as a mark of respect to the martyrs.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, a two-minute silence in memory of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who was killed on this day 60 years ago, and other martyrs was observed at 11 am.
The Memorial, which lists the names of martyrs from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, is an expression of the nation’s gratitude towards the supreme sacrifice made by its bravest children. It is perhaps the largest war memorial of the country dedicated to nearly 8,500 soldiers from the Army, Air Force and Navy who died fighting for the country since 1947.
Chief of Staff, HQ, Lt. Gen. A N Aul, Home Secretary, Mr. Ram Niwas, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. R.K. Rao, Shri. Vipin Pubby and other senior officers of Western Command and UT Administration also paid homage to the martyrs by laying wreath.