Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 February 2025
Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, paid tribute to the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces at the Rashtriya Samar Smarak on February 9, 2025. Admiral Joshi participated in the solemn wreath-laying ceremony alongside the former Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy during his visit to the national capital to attend the Chiefs’ Conclave.
Located near the India Gate Complex, the Rashtriya Samar Smarak (National War Memorial) stands as a national symbol of gratitude to the armed forces. The memorial, inaugurated in 2019, comprises four concentric circles representing different aspects of military service—the Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality), Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), and Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection). At the heart of the memorial is the Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame signifying the nation’s undying respect for its fallen heroes.
The memorial also features a central obelisk and inscribed walls bearing the names of over 26,000 soldiers who have laid down their lives in various conflicts since India’s independence. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces in protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.