Nine years after it was commissioned by the State government, the National Military Memorial park — touted as the first in the country dedicated to those who laid down their lives for the nation — is yet to see installation of a 75-foot obelisk. The names of 22,600 martyrs are etched on the obelisk. The memorial cannot be considered complete and officially inaugurated till the obelisk is installed. As of now, the stone is in Devanahalli.
Children of both retired and martyred military personnel in Bengaluru have come together to demand completion of the memorial, and say that the delay is a mark of disrespect to the armed forces.
Around 80 people have joined hands and started a campaign #InMyFather'sName with a request to the government to formally unveil the memorial by August 15. A Facebook group has also been created, with members from Karnataka and Delhi.
Prasad Bidapa, fashion stylist and choreographer, who's father served in the military, said, “We have been following up with the government for long. Year after year, we get only promises. The BDA, which is entrusted with transporting the obelisk, has only been giving excuses for not transporting it, despite allocations for the task,” he said.
Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, whose father served in the Madras Regiment, said, “Something that was started to commemorate the sacrifice of the military, now remains disregarded. The area is strewn with rusting planes and model tanks. The memorial was planned and initiated by the government. No one asked for it. But once started, the government should have ensured completion of the work. Why the delay in transporting one stone, which is just 45 km away?”
On Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26), which will be celebrated at the memorial, citizens plan to meet officials and demand answers. “We will meet the Governor and the Home Minister too,” said Ms. Rajagopal.
