Centre Alters Traditions At India Gate To Social Horror
Last updated on January 22nd, 2022 at 05:09 am
In an astonishing move, a flame that has been burning for 5 decades was merged with the torch of the War Memorial at the India gate. Inviting criticism, the government sources have said, “The flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti is not being extinguished. It is being merged with the flame at the National War Memorial. It was an odd thing to see that the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 and other wars but none of their names are present there.”
Further, a ‘grand statue’ of Subhas Chandra Bose will also be installed at India Gate, according to a formal announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two days before the freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary. “I am glad to share that the grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Meanwhile, the place where his statue is to be erected will showcase a hologram. The statue is to be unveiled on his birthday on January 25. The dimensions of the upcoming statue will be 28 feet*6 feet, people aware of development said. The canopy, under which it will be placed, previously featured a bust of Britain’s King George V, which was removed in 1968, they added.
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Much to the discomfort of the opposition, the ruling party government has also decided to alter the date of the Republic Day celebrations to commence from January 23, instead of January 24, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. Also, since last year, January 23 has been observed as ‘Parakram Diwas’ in memory of the former commander of the erstwhile Indian National Army.
Over the merging of the flames, government sources have cited reasons for its move as the increasing difficulty in maintaining two flames. There has been a deluge of posts on social media and statements from opposition parties, also a section of retired veterans, over the massive change in a decades-old tradition.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said “some people cannot understand patriotism and sacrifice.”
