New Delhi: "When you go home, tell them that for their tomorrow, we gave our today" – will be the sentiment reflected in the country's first national war memorial (NWM) to be established soon by the government in the heart of the national capital.

"We were pursuing couple of ideas simultaneously, one of which is a war memorial for those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation so far. We are looking at a 17- acre land in the Central vista in the capital for it," Defence Minister George Fernandes said.

The project, a brain child of Fernandes, will be the first of its kind in Independent India.

"We have recently held an informal meeting with the Chief of Staffs Committee (COSC) and asked it to take the project beyond conceptualisation," the Defence Minister said, adding the land, near Rajpath and India Gate was an ideal position for the memorial.

Regretting that he had not been able to execute the project despite being in office for nearly four years, Fernandes said it was being delayed with many having a strong feeling that the 17-acre land was not enough, among other reasons.

There was also a question of immediate budgetary priority, Fernandes said.

Asked what all the memorial will contain, the Defence Minister said it will immortalise in every possible way all those who sacrificed their lives for the nation so far whether being from Army, Navy and Air force.

If possible, "we will also ask public to give us information and details about even those who were lesser known", Fernandes said.

The names, life history and their sacrifice in line of their duty will be portrayed in the memorial, he said.

On the modalities and funds for the project, he said, "We have the expertise and as far as funds are concerned, the COSC will decide that."

"I hope now the project will make a rapid progress," the Defence Minister said.

There were other ideas such as war museum, Fernandes said, adding the museum could present a comprehensive history of wars – big or small and also depict the various war episodes to give a real time experience.

All these projects were aimed at creating awareness among youths to know about the past war heroes and encourage their involvement in the country's defence.

PTI