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A befitting memorial for about 267 martyrs, who laid down their lives guarding the country along the Indo-China border in the post-independence period, will be inaugurated on Saturday.
The memorial, which has been named 'Watershed', used to describe the border in military nomenclature, will be inaugurated at Sherathang, some 5 km ahead of the Nathu La border pass.
Engulfed in a glorious history of its own, the Nathu La post reverberates with its own legends and heroic moments as brave jawans laid down their lives defending the country and the state of Sikkim.
The first Indian Army jawan laid down his life here in 1958 and then followed the 1962 war with China and the 1967 Nathu La skirmish.
Countless others have sacrificed their lives while keeping vigil at this brigade.
"Historic moments don't come occasionally and the Black Cat division of the Indian Army based in Sikkim has given a befitting tribute to the brave martyrs by erecting a modest memorial to honour those who died in defence of their motherland at Sherathang," General Officer Commanding of the 17th Mountain Division Major General Kanwar Vijay Singh Lalotra said.
He said the memorial would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
The GOC said the selection of the site was as important as the structure itself and a commanding piece of ground visible from all sides from a long distance was finally chosen.
The memorial is located at the old army training area and the golf course at Sherathang accessible by a road close to the Sherathang helipad.
One can view the conference house of the army at the border and also the Chinese post and the Sherathang trade mart. The Chola pass can also be seen which has its own heroic moments.
The memorial is simple in design which truly represents the state and its people and accordingly, it has a canopy roof in Sikkimese design.
Black granite and grey kota stones have been used to blend with the surrounding grey and black rugged terrain.