Noida, February 23, 2026:
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi paid homage to 45 shaheeds of Gautam Budh Nagar during the 24th Homage-Paying Ceremony held with full military honours at the Noida Shaheed Smarak. The solemn event brought together senior military officials, civil authorities, families of martyrs, and citizens to remember the courage and sacrifice of the fallen.
The ceremony began at 3:30 PM with a ceremonial tri-service guard and buglers conducting proceedings with precise military discipline under the command of Petty Officer Gurwinder Singh. The atmosphere was deeply emotional as families of the shaheeds gathered to honour their loved ones, laying wreaths and recalling their acts of bravery. The visible mix of grief and pride among the families reflected the enduring legacy of the 45 brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, led the tributes, followed by Major General Navraj Dhillon, VSM, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area; Major General Puneet Aggarwal, SDG OS (B); and Air Vice Marshal Anand Sondhi, AVSM, VSM, representing the Army and Air Force respectively. Commodore Vishal Rawal, Commanding Officer, INS India and Station Commander (Navy), also paid homage, reaffirming the collective respect of the armed forces.
Family members of several gallant officers and soldiers laid wreaths in memory of their loved ones. Among those honoured were Squadron Leader I. H. Naqvi, Captain Varun Chhibber, Captain Vijayant Thapar, VrC, Major Udai Singh, SC, SM, Major A. Nauriyal, KC, Flight Lieutenant Mahesh Trikha, Captain Shashi Kant Sharma, SM(G), Lieutenant Colonel Paras Mehra, Captain D. S. Ahlawat, MVC, Major General Sudarshan Singh, Brigadier B. P. Singh, Colonel K. L. Gupta, Lieutenant Colonel Santosh Kumar, Major Rohit Kumar, General Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Naik Kundan Singh, Naik Lakhmi Chand, Sepoy Tejpal Singh, Naik Neeraj Kumar, Havildar Sheo Raj, Sepoy Babu Ram, Sepoy Ram Karan, Gunner Rambir Singh, and Naib Subedar Shri Chand Singh. Colonel H. C. Sharma, SM(G), laid a wreath in honour of unknown soldiers.
Senior military veterans, police officials, educators, corporate representatives, and citizens also participated in the tribute. Lieutenant General G. L. Bakshi, PVSM, Chairman of the memorial trust, DCP Y. Prasad, DCP Traffic Manisha Singh, Brigadier A. Mehdiratta, Colonel P. Gupta, Lieutenant Colonel P. Singh, Rear Admiral B. Jhang, and Colonel Lalchandani were among those present. Heads of institutions from Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar, along with principals Indrani Neogi of Army Public School and Hardeep Kaur of Cambridge School, students, and representatives from public and private organisations also laid wreaths.
The chief guest was received by Chairman Suman Bakshi, Executive Director Lieutenant General R. C. Chadha, and Ceremonial Head Lieutenant General Khurana. The proceedings were conducted with formal commentary by Preeti Das and Lieutenant Colonel O. P. Mehta (Retd), ensuring the significance of each tribute was conveyed to attendees.
In his welcome address, Lieutenant General G. L. Bakshi highlighted the unique importance of the Noida Shaheed Smarak, noting that while India has many war memorials, this is the first and only tri-services memorial established by a city to honour its war dead from the Army, Navy, and Air Force collectively. He expressed gratitude to the three service headquarters, Delhi Area, Signal Regiment, Noida Authority, Noida Police, local institutions, and Army Public School for their continued support and contributions, as well as acknowledging the media’s role in preserving the memory of the martyrs.
The ceremony also marked the release of Souvenir 2026, a publication dedicated to the shaheeds and documenting the history and significance of the memorial. Addressing the gathering, Admiral Tripathi paid heartfelt tribute to the fallen soldiers and praised the sustained efforts of the memorial trust in preserving their legacy. Quoting the Prime Minister, he said, “We honour the courage and sacrifices of our brave soldiers. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us.”
Admiral Tripathi interacted personally with families of the shaheeds, expressing gratitude for their immense sacrifice and acknowledging the strength and resilience they continue to demonstrate. On behalf of the memorial trust, Rashmi Chadha presented commemorative gifts to the families as a token of respect and remembrance.
Following the formal ceremony, distinguished guests and families gathered for an interaction session over tea, during which the Indian Naval Band, led by Master Chief Petty Officer II D. Selvam, performed martial tunes that were warmly appreciated by those present.
Speaking to the media, Commander Narinder Mahajan, Director (Media), announced that Dedication Day will be observed on April 13, 2026. The date commemorates the occasion when the three service chiefs formally dedicated the memorial to the nation, reinforcing its role as a symbol of national gratitude and collective remembrance.
The ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the courage, duty, and sacrifice of Gautam Budh Nagar’s 45 shaheeds and reaffirmed the nation’s enduring commitment to honouring those who laid down their lives in its defence.
