Battle continues for war memorial

Battle continues for war memorial

Express News ServiceFirst Published : 13 Apr 2010 04:52:00 AM IST
BANGALORE: The widows of war veterans in the state made a case for building the Rashtriya Sainik Smarak in Bangalore, on Monday. “Even after 60 years of Independence, after so many wars have been fought and so many brave soldiers have laid down their lives for the nation, we still do not have a National Martyrs’ Memorial in our country.
Although, every year, a wreath is laid at India Gate, which was built by the British, on Republic Day by the Prime Minister,” said Retired Colonel Rajan Srinivas.
Rajan said, “This memorial is being built at a premises of the musical fountain, where greenery will be maintained and the rules and regulation of the park will be followed. A properly made pathway for walkers and joggers will also be maintained,” he added.
“We felt honoured when the Chief Minister of Karnataka announced to build a war memorial and the foundation stone was laid in February, last year. We are very grateful to the people of Karnataka for their kind gesture.
This will be the first of its kind in the country and a pride for Karnataka,” he said. Rajan also said that the memorial would also be a source of motivation for the youth of the state to join armed forces.
Tangled in trees
Proposal to set up a war memorial at the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park is caught up in legal tangles over the trees being cut for the memorial.