‘BalidanStambh’ at Pratap Park: Unfortunate our soldiers’ sacrifices remained unsung for decades: Suri

Srinagar, June 25: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K Executive Member Raman Suri on Sunday said that ‘Balidan Stambh (Martyrs’ Memorial)’, the foundation of which was laid by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Pratap Park in the heart of Srinagar, will continue to inspire youth and show them the right path instead of misleading them towards gun culture. The memorial, he said, was much awaited but the previous governments ignored such an important task.
Shah, along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, laid the foundation stone at the park near Lal Chowk city centre, the commercial hub of Srinagar city. Raman Suri in a statement said that the memorial, a project under the Srinagar Smart City, is a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
“This is unfortunate that for decades together sacrifices of our soldiers remained unsung and governments like those of Congress, NC or PDP ignored this subject and did not honour the martyrs,” he said, adding, “The BJP government knows how to honour the martyrs and added that the sacrifices of these soldiers and police officers that resulted in the dawning of peace in Kashmir will never go in vain.”
With the construction of this memorial at Pratap Park, memories of our brave soldiers who contributed to restoring peace here by laying down their lives will be remembered for ages to come and the memorial will serve the right purpose, the BJP leader said.
He said that after the abrogation of Article 370, the youth of Kashmir are indulging in many startups, excelling in competitive exams, contributing to art, culture, and language, bringing in accolades for their institutions and parents in sports and, also doing their best in promoting Kashmir across the globe. This is the Kashmir that was missing from the scene for ages but the tables have turned and the future of youngsters is secure now, he said.
Suri said that Pratap Park, nestled near the bustling Lal Chowk, served as the perfect location for this solemn tribute to the brave souls who had laid down their lives for the nation. “The memorial will stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment of those valiant soldiers who had made the ultimate sacrifice. The Balidan Stambh will not merely be a physical structure but a profound symbol of gratitude and remembrance,” he said.