A wonderful experience at the Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal

A wonderful experience at the Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal
By LB Thapa, recently in Bhopal, India 

In the recent past, I was in Bhopal, India, the city where I was born and had my education. Bhopal, popularly known as a city of lakes, is vibrant and much known for its amazing stock of natural, cultural, and historical treasure troves. 

Those who want to see Bhopal and experience its heart and soul will certainly find plenty of eye-catching sites of tremendous beauty and historical importance. In my recent visit to Bhopal, I visited Shaurya Smarak (war memorial), and in this article, I am going to tell you my experience of this park.

GOING TO SHAURYA SMARAK


After having a delicious breakfast prepared by Monika Thapa, an active member of the Robin Hood Army, an NGO known for social activities. This social organization is a group of volunteers who collect surplus food from restaurants and hotels and feed hungry children. Most of the volunteers of the organization are students and homemakers who work in their free time. Now the organization is reaching homeless families, orphanages, patients, and old age homes. 

I got into the car, and Virat, my nephew, drove the car to the War Memorial (Shaurya Smarak). Until we reached the park, we talked about many aspects of the old and the new Bhopal. I told him about the Bhopal of three decades ago when I was a young boy, and Virat told me about the new Bhopal of today. 





Shaurya Smarak, or a War Memorial, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 October 2016. The War Memorial is located at Arera Hills. The memorial park is spread over the 5-hectare of land. The park has several connected pathways leading to small flower gardens and several monuments, which are spread throughout the park area. These monumental structures have augmented the stature of the garden as one of the best memorial parks in India. 

A TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS 



With Virat.


Among many attractive sightings within the confinement of the park, one is Shaurya Stambh (battle pillar). It is a 62-foot-high granite sculpture. It is tall and artistically built, but the beauty of this installation is the pillar that is dedicated to the Indian Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. Different kinds of marble have been arranged to signify the three wings of the Indian army. For instance, granite signifies the Indian Army, grey marble signifies the Indian Navy, and white marble signifies the Indian Air Force. 

Several boards have been put in a row beside the walking pathways. The names, designations, and a description are written of those martyrs who fought the enemies in the war against Pakistan and China. These boards have been covered by glass so that they can be protected by rainwater. A holographic flame is lit all the time to honor the martyrs of the Indian army. 






A WAR AMPHITHEATER 

Within the park area, a war amphitheater has been built. After descending a few steps, one will find surrounded by tall walls from all sides. A real war scenario is created by a perfect sound system where soldiers yell at enemies and attack them with their automatic weapons. Some soldiers also moan in pain after receiving bullets in their limbs. 

Such a loud sound system fills the entire environment more like a real war zone area. The effect of the sound is palpable. The intense warzone sound triggers an adrenaline rush in the body, forcing one to pick up an assault rifle and attack the enemies outright. 

Similarly, there are a few life-sized figures of Indian national heroes, such as Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and others. 

A few battle tanks, canons, and aircraft that took part in the Pakistan and China wars have been placed in the park. A piece of detailed information has been written about the armor for the visitors. Thus, the War Memorial is not only a park but also a place to learn the glory of Indian war history. 

A BRONZE STATUE OF MOTHER INDIA 


One of the special attractions of the park is a tall statue of Mother India. The statue of Mother India is a magnificent piece of sculpture. The sculptor must be praised for his artistic ability and the meticulous details that can be observed throughout the sculpture. A 37-foot-high bronze statue of Mother India (Bharat Mata) has become the cynosure of all eyes. 




The statue is a symbolic representation of Mother India, who holds an Indian national flag in her left hand, and with her right hand, she blesses her children, the people of India.

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Location: Nepal

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