Governor Om Prakash Mathur inaugurated the Prerna Sthal memorial at Bardang, approximately 29 km from Gangtok, Sikkim, on Wednesday. This memorial honors the 22 Indian Army personnel who perished in the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023.
The memorial was designed by the governor's office and carried out by the Indian Army in partnership with the state government, with corporate social responsibility backing from the Cello Foundation.
The location also commemorates 294 soldiers who lost their lives in 13 different operations along the borders of Sikkim. It is included in the Centre's 'Rannbhoomi Darshan' project, which seeks to enhance battlefield tourism at sites like the Dokala and Cho La tourist viewpoints.
In his speech to the audience, Mathur mentioned that although the 1962 Indo-China war is well-known, the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the 1967 conflicts remain largely unrecognized.
He stated, 'Through this homage to our courageous fallen, we will inform the world of the significant bloodshed that occurred at the borders of Nathula, Cho La, and Dokala.'
He stated, "This day is significant not just for Sikkim, but for the whole country, as it marks the occasion when we honor those who valiantly defended Sikkim's borders in wars, showing immense courage and not yielding any territory to the Chinese. Today, we honor those courageous individuals."
Major General MS Rathore, the General Officer Commanding of the Black at Division, stated that the inauguration represented bravery, unity, and love for the country.
He stated, 'This monument stands as a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation's unity and safety. Everyone passing through Bardang will sense the essence of national unity and recall the bravery of our soldiers.'
The memorial location includes an extensive healing park, an audio-visual hall showcasing Sikkim's military history, a cafeteria, and several public facilities.
The event was attended by DGP Akshay Sachdeva along with the families of the soldiers who lost their lives.