On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu honoured the valiant soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation, paying floral tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
Braving heavy rain, the President marched to the memorial alongside Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. Two women officers of the Indian Air Force carried the wreath, underscoring the growing role of women in the armed forces.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth were also present during the solemn ceremony.
On the eve of Independence Day, President Murmu approved 127 Gallantry Awards and 40 Distinguished Service Awards for personnel of the armed forces and central armed police forces. The list included 4 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, and numerous other honours, along with 290 Mention-in-Despatches recognising exceptional service.
Nine Indian Air Force officers received the Vir Chakra for their bravery during Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on terrorist hubs in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur, as well as the destruction of enemy military assets. The operation also resulted in the downing of at least six Pakistani aircraft.
The National War Memorial, inaugurated in 2019, commemorates soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in conflicts such as the 1999 Kargil War, the 1961 Goa Liberation, and operations like Pawan and Rakshak. Spread over 40 acres, it stands as a solemn reminder of India’s enduring gratitude to its defenders.
