PM Narendra Modi unveils National War Memorial, slams Congress

Speaking at the event, Modi said his government is trying to add new and technologically advanced arms to make Indian Army more stronger.

He also used the venue in hitting out at the Congress when he said the erstwhile Congress-led UPA regime for 'depriving' Indian soldiers even the much needed bullet proof jackets.

"How the forces and their defence requirements were misused to make money is known to you all perhaps better than me," Prime Minister said.

He said neglecting the national interests and ignoring the safety and security issues of the armed forces personnel, the Manmohan Singh government did nothing to procure 1.86 lakh bullet proof jackets as was demanded by the forces.

The demand was placed in 2009 but nothing moved till 2014.

"Today, it was left with our government to procure 2.3 lakh bullet proof jackets for our brave soldiers," Modi said.

"Kuch logon ke liye desh se bara apna parivar hae (For some people, it appeared the family came first and foremost and not the country)," he told the gathering which included a large number of ex-servicemen and their family members. 

The National War Memorial complex includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame, and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy.

Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar.

National War Memorial represents the culmination of the collective aspiration of a grateful nation to pay a fitting tribute to the martyrs. 

Image: BJP Twitter page