Param Vir Chakra Memorial Dedicated to the Nation

There could not be a better tribute to the brave sons of our country than the Param Vir Chakra Memorial at Marina Park, which was dedicated to the Nation by none other than the Lt Governor of A&N Islands, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd). At a function at the Marina Park today, the Lt. Governor unveiled the beautiful memorial which carries pictures and details of all 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees. The First Lady of these Islands, Smt Suneeti Singh, Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Smt Rupa Ray, the Commander–in-Chief A&N Command, Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee, Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash and the Chairperson PBMC, Shri K Ganeshan, besides PBMC councillors, PCC President, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, senior officers of the Defence and Civil Administration were present.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt Governor complimented the team of PBMC for developing an exquisitely designed memorial in the precincts of Marina Park. He said this memorial will serve as an inspiration through the bravery, valour and the supreme sacrifice made by India's brave sons. The Lt Governor said that Param vir Chakra is awarded to the personnel of Armed Forces for most conspicuous bravery or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice made in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.

The Lt Governor opined that being a soldier is a most honourable way of serving the Nation. And in the profession of Arms the PVC awardees are the most exalted/ultimate heroes.

The Lt. Governor said the National Memorial Cellular Jail is a mute testimony to the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in the pre-independence period while the PVC memorial will remind the people about the bravery and sacrifice of our brave hearts in the post Independence era. The Lt. Governor described the patriotic feelings and the nationalistic fervour prevailing among the islanders as unmatched. He also narrated few lines of the song of the Army i.e “kadam Kadam Badaye ja khusi ke geet gaye ja …. Ye zindagi hai Kaum ki tu Kaum pe mitaye ja”…

The Lt Governor narrated some of the exploits and his interactions with the PVC heroes. He also narrated the chetwoode motto, which is a guide for all Army officers: The chetwoode Motto: “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first always and everytime; the honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next; your own case, comfort and safety come last, always and everytime”. The Lt Governor concluded his speech by saying “on behalf of the Islanders, I salute these brave hearts, the ultimate heroes of our Nation”.

The Lt Governor also released an information brochure brought out by the PBMC, giving details of various services offered.

In his address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his happiness over the erection of the memorial which was so aptly conceived by out Lt Governor and which will always inspire the youth of these Islands about the brave soldiers of our country, some of who had made supreme sacrifices to the cause of the motherland. The MP enlightened the gathering about the historical past of the Gymkhana ground, currently Netaji Stadium, where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose unfurled National Tri - colour declaring these Islands independent from the shackles of the Britishers. He also appreciated the PBMC for bringing out the Information brochure which mentioned a clear cut time frame about the services to be provided to the city dwellers.

In his speech on the occasion, the Commander–in-Chief A&N Command, Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee also expressed his happiness on setting up the PVC memorial glorifying the brave hearts of the Armed Forces. He said the site selected for the memorial is pristine and apt. The CINCAN further stated that PVC is the highest gallantry award for the country. He noted with appreciation that patriotism is entrenched in the DNA of the Islanders and with the construction of memorial, the Islanders have shown their respect to the valiant men of the Armed Forces.

The Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash described the occasion as a momentous one. These Islands are deeply associated with the freedom struggle and the PVC memorial at the Marina Park is surely going to inspire the young generation and the tourists as well, the Chief Secretary added.