Chapter 8

                                                A Homage to our Brave Soldiers 


1.Q: What motivated Soumya to visit the National War Memorial in New Delhi?

A: Soumya was curious about the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country’s freedom and territorial integrity. The visit was part of a school educational trip to places of historical and educational significance.


2.Q: When was the National War Memorial constructed, and who inaugurated it?

A: The construction of the National War Memorial began in April 2018 and was completed in February 2019. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019.


3.Q: How large is the National War Memorial, and where is it located?

A: The National War Memorial is spread over 40 acres of land near the iconic India Gate in New Delhi.


4.Q: Why is the National War Memorial significant for India?

A: It symbolizes the nation’s gratitude toward soldiers who have sacrificed their lives defending India since Independence and ensures that their bravery is remembered by future generations.


5.Q: What is the importance of remembering soldiers who fought after India’s independence?

A: Even after 1947, Indian soldiers fought wars to protect the country. Remembering them helps citizens understand the cost of freedom and honors their supreme sacrifice.


6.Q: What are the wars mentioned in which soldiers’ names are inscribed at the memorial?

A: The wars include the Indo-China conflict of 1962, Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, and the Kargil War of 1999.


7.Q: How many soldiers’ names are engraved on the memorial’s tablets?

A: There are 29,000 granite tablets with more than 26,000 names of fallen soldiers etched on them.


8.Q: What are the highest wartime gallantry awards mentioned in the text?

A: The awards include Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Kirti Chakra (KC), Vir Chakra (VrC), and Shaurya Chakra (SC).


9.Q: Who was Major Somnath Sharma, and why is he remembered?

A: Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded India’s first Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the Battle of Badgam in 1947. He is remembered for his courage and supreme sacrifice.


10.Q: Name some other soldiers awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

A: Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, and Major Hoshiar Singh.


11.Q: Describe the heroic actions of Lance Naik Albert Ekka.

A: He charged enemy positions under intense fire, bayoneted enemy soldiers, silenced light and medium machine guns despite being seriously wounded, and ensured the success of his unit before succumbing to injuries.


12.Q: What is the Amar Jawan Jyoti, and what does it symbolize?

A: The Amar Jawan Jyoti is an eternal flame that honors fallen soldiers, symbolizing the immortality of their spirit and the nation’s gratitude.


13.Q: Where was the Amar Jawan Jyoti originally located?

A: It was originally located under the India Gate arch and was lit in January 1972 to commemorate India’s victory in the 1971 war.


14.Q: How was the Amar Jawan Jyoti incorporated into the National War Memorial?

A: During the inauguration, a new eternal flame was lit at the memorial, and the old flame from India Gate was merged with the new flame at the National War Memorial obelisk.


15.Q: Explain the four concentric circles of the National War Memorial.

A: The circles are: Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality), Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), and Raksha Chakra (Circle of Protection), representing a soldier’s journey from service to martyrdom.


16.Q: What does the Veerta Chakra depict?

A: It houses a covered gallery with six bronze murals showing valiant battle actions of the Armed Forces.


17.Q: What is unique about the Tyag Chakra?

A: It symbolizes the ancient war formation Chakravyuh and has granite tablets with each soldier’s name etched in golden letters.


18.Q: Describe the Raksha Chakra and its significance.

A: The outermost circle has rows of trees representing soldiers who safeguard India’s territorial integrity, reassuring citizens of their safety.


19.Q: How did Soumya feel visiting the National War Memorial?

A: She felt proud, inspired, emotional, and motivated to live a life worthy of the soldiers’ sacrifices.


20.Q: Who was Major Padmapani Acharya, and what did he do?

A: He was a company commander in the 1999 Kargil War, awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for capturing a heavily fortified enemy position despite being severely injured.


21.Q: Describe Major Acharya’s bravery during the Kargil War.

A: He led his reserve platoon through artillery fire, crawled to enemy positions, lobbed grenades, and continued to engage the enemy even when severely injured, ensuring the mission’s success.


22.Q: What quote from the Bhagavad Gita did Major Acharya write to his father?

A: He wrote: “If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes, or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise with determination, O son of Kunti, and be prepared to fight.”


23.Q: How did Ananda react after reading Soumya’s letter?

A: He felt inspired, motivated, and grateful. He wanted to learn more about heroes like Captain Anuj Nayyar and consider joining the Indian Armed Forces.


24.Q: Who is Captain Anuj Nayyar, and what honor was he awarded?

A: He was an Indian Army officer of the 17 Jat regiment, posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his valor in the Kargil War.


25.Q: What is the significance of the quote: “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it…”?

A: It emphasizes that the country’s freedom and flag are maintained through the sacrifices of soldiers who give their lives defending it.


26.Q: How did Soumya’s classmates plan to share their National War Memorial experience?

A: They decided to make presentations on stories of valor and share them during the school assembly.


27.Q: What hobby of Ananda is mentioned in his letter?

A: Ananda enjoys stamp collecting, also known as philately.


28.Q: How did Soumya connect her hobby of philately to the National War Memorial?

A: She received a stamp celebrating India’s Independence, which related to the theme of her letter about the soldiers’ sacrifices.


29.Q: What breakfast memory did Ananda share in his letter?

A: They had fluffy idlies and fondly remembered Soumya during breakfast.


30.Q: In the poem “Explore the Meadow”, what are meadow houses?

A: They are homes of small animals and insects, like burrows in the ground or nests beneath tall grasses.


31.Q: What does the phrase amazing mound refer to in the poem?

A: It refers to the mound built by ants, showing their hard work and creativity.


32.Q: What is the significance of the line “You may discover these yourself. If you look and listen well.”

A: It emphasizes the importance of careful observation and attention to notice the hidden wonders of the meadow.


33.Q: In “Busy World”, how does the poet describe summer in nature?

A: The poet describes nature as active and energetic, with bees buzzing, frogs hopping, vines climbing, birds singing, and raindrops drumming—a whirling and dizzy world.


34.Q: What lesson do students learn by observing a tree or plant daily for a week?

A: They learn to notice changes in nature, sharpen observation skills, and express their experiences creatively through writing or drawing.


35.Q: Why do Soumya and Ananda emphasize visiting war memorials?

A: Visiting war memorials helps citizens honor soldiers’ sacrifices, develop gratitude, and understand the importance of national security.


36.Q: How did the letters of Soumya and Ananda reflect patriotism?

A: They expressed admiration, gratitude, and respect for soldiers and shared their learning and experiences to inspire others.


37.Q: How did the stories of bravery affect the students emotionally?

A: Students felt awestruck, motivated, proud, and sometimes sad, realizing the cost of freedom and courage of the soldiers.


38.Q: How is the National War Memorial designed to evoke emotions?

A: Through concentric circles, granite tablets, bronze murals, eternal flame, and landscaped surroundings, the memorial creates a visual and emotional experience of remembrance and honor.


39.Q: What educational purpose do school visits to war memorials serve?

A: They teach history, instill patriotism, and inspire students to appreciate the sacrifices made by soldiers for the nation’s freedom.


40.Q: How do Soumya and Ananda use modern technology to explore and share the National War Memorial experience?

A: They use the interactive mobile app and official website, which provide information in multiple languages and allow students to learn and share stories of soldiers’ bravery.


Answer by Mrinmoee