Amar Jawan Jyoti now merged with National War Memorial flame, says Government

What is the news?

The Government of India has put out the eternal flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti underneath India Gate and merged it with the one instituted at the National War Memorial in 2019.

What is Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ)?

Amar Jawan Jyoti, meaning the flame of the immortal soldier, was inaugurated in 1972. It was located underneath India Gate in central Delhi.

It was an iconic symbol of the nation’s tributes to the soldiers who have died for the country in various wars and conflicts since Independence.

Furthermore, it was also to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. 

What has been done now with Amar Jawan Jyoti?

Now, the flame has been put off and merged with another eternal flame at the National War Memorial.

This was done because a) AJJ eternal flame paid homage to the soldiers killed in the 1971 War, but does not mention their name and b) names of all Indian martyrs from all the wars, including 1971 and wars before and after it are housed at the National War Memorial.

Hence it is a true tribute to have the flame paying tribute to martyrs there.

What is the National War Memorial

The National War Memorial was inaugurated in 2019. It was built to commemorate all the soldiers who have laid down their lives in the various battles, wars, operations and conflicts of Independent India. 

What is India Gate?

India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was unveiled by Lord Irwin in 1931. It was built to honour the soldiers of British India who died from 1914 to 1921. 

Source:  This post is based on the articles:

 ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti now merged with National War Memorial flame, says Government’ published in The Hindu on 22nd January 2022.

‘Explained: Significance of Amar Jawan Jyoti and why it was merged with National War Memorial flame’ published in Indian Express on 22nd January 2022.