Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 21: After 50 years, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, or “eternal flame,” honouring soldiers at India Gate was extinguished today. It was carried to the National War Memorial in a military procession where it was merged with a torch.
Soldiers marched from India Gate to the new war memorial, about 400 metres distant, carrying the eternal flame.
The National War Memorial, which opened in 2019, will be the only place to pay honour to martyred troops since 1947.
#WATCH | Delhi: Amar Jawan Jyoti flame at India Gate merged with the flame at the National War Memorial. pic.twitter.com/Nd1dnfvWYW
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2022
Over the huge change in a decades-old custom, there has been a deluge of social media posts and declarations from opposing parties, as well as a segment of retired soldiers.
Government sources said it is “ironic that persons who did not make a National War Memorial for 7 decades are now making a hue and cry when a permanent and worthy homage is being made to our martyrs,” referring to Opposition leaders who have blasted the initiative.
Also read: Amar Jawan Jyoti not being extinguished but merged: Centre
