Shahpur War Memorial Foundation Laid During Army Day Celebration

The foundation stone for a new war memorial was laid in Shahpur, located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, on January 12, 2023, coinciding with the 78th Army Day celebrations. The local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Kewal Singh Pathania, who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Congress in the Vidhan Sabha, announced that the memorial will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh. This initiative marks a significant milestone as it will be the first war memorial at the sub-divisional level in the state.

During the ceremony, Pathania highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s rich military history and its designation as both a “Dev Bhoomi” (Land of the Gods) and a “Veer Bhoomi” (Land of the Brave). He noted that despite its relatively small population, the state has made a notable contribution to the Indian armed forces. Since gaining independence, 1,728 soldiers from Himachal Pradesh have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and the state has produced four Param Vir Chakra awardees, India’s highest military honor.

Pathania emphasized the government’s commitment to veterans and their families, stating that the state is implementing various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, war widows, and their dependents. In a significant update, he revealed that since September 2023, the ex-gratia compensation for families of martyrs and disabled soldiers has been increased by one-and-a-half times. The financial assistance for families of martyred soldiers has risen from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, while compensation in cases of death due to other causes has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh.

As part of the memorial’s dedication, Pathania announced that the names of martyrs would be inscribed on the memorial based on recommendations from the Soldiers’ League. He also indicated plans for the construction of an Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) building in Shahpur in the near future.

The event featured the hoisting of the national flag by Pathania, who also took the salute from a parade that included ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, and a band from the Home Guards. The march-past, showcasing the discipline and dedication of both NCC cadets and ex-servicemen, was a significant highlight of the occasion.

Among those honored during the ceremony was Garaj Singh, the father of Pawan Kumar, a martyr who lost his life during Operation Sindoor. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of fallen soldiers, followed by patriotic cultural performances by local schoolchildren, which added to the spirit of remembrance and honor throughout the event.

This new war memorial in Shahpur not only serves as a tribute to the bravery of those who served but also reinforces the ongoing support for veterans and their families in Himachal Pradesh.