I am honoured to participate on this historic occasion of the inauguration of the Chandigarh War Memorial. This is an important event, as we remember our gallant soldiers, who since our Independence in 1947 had laid down their lives in 13 different operations of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Their names are here before you, engraved in granite, so that they will be remembered through many centuries, as brave and dignified souls who sacrificed their lives, so that the future generations can live in honour, peace and prosperity.

I appreciate the creation of this War Memorial through a Citizens’ initiative led by the Indian Express Group of Newspapers which has now become a reality. A notable feature of this project is that the part of the funds raised for the War Memorial will be used for upgrading schools and hospitals in rural areas where the martyr soldiers belong.

The people of this strategically important region of our nation have, from time immemorial, earned the respect and gratitude of the entire nation, by their valour, bravery and sacrifice, defending the country and its democratic, cultural and spiritual heritage, against repeated waves of invasion and alien rule over the centuries. Why then this occasion is so very important today? Just two days ago, the nation had celebrated its 60th Independence Day. From the time of our independence, the people of this region have sacrificed 8459 lives to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our nation, and we are honouring them today. The sacrifices of the people of this region over the centuries can well be imagined, as well as their continuing readiness to defend this sacred land and its cultural heritage. Therefore, it would be useful to look back a little into our history. India’s history is intimately tied to its geography and this region is one among the strategic front of our nation. After the first pre historic human settlements, complex and sophisticated cultures were established in India for 2500 years. Thereafter, for the next 2300 years, our country was repeatedly invaded and occupied in three waves for about 1325 years across its land borders from Europe, West Asia and Central Asia.

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