Narendra Modi, has welcomed the Param Vir Gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan and said that the portraits displayed there are a heartfelt tribute to the nation’s indomitable heroes and a mark of the country’s gratitude for their sacrifices. He said that these portraits honour those brave warriors who protected the motherland through their supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of India.
The Prime Minister noted that dedicating this gallery of Param Vir Chakra awardees to the nation in the dignified presence of two Param Vir Chakra awardees and the family members of other awardees makes the occasion even more special.
The Prime Minister said that for a long period, the galleries at Rashtrapati Bhavan displayed portraits of soldiers from the British era, which have now been replaced by portraits of the nation’s Param Vir Chakra awardees. He stated that the creation of the Param Vir Gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan is an excellent example of India’s effort to emerge from a colonial mindset and connect the nation with a renewed sense of consciousness. He also recalled that a few years ago, several islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were named after Param Vir Chakra awardees.
Highlighting the importance of the gallery for the younger generation, the Prime Minister said that these portraits and the gallery will serve as a powerful place for youth to connect with India’s tradition of valour. He added that the gallery will inspire young people to recognise the importance of inner strength and resolve in achieving national objectives, and expressed hope that this place will emerge as a vibrant pilgrimage embodying the spirit of a Viksit Bharat.
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