Panchkula, Oct. 8 -- A memorial built to keep alive the memory of a young soldier who gave his life for the nation now stands amid overgrown grass, a broken footpath and an open drain - an approach that does little justice to the martyr it was built to honour.

The Shaheed Major Anuj Rajput Smarak in Sector 10, near the Sector 5-10/4-11 roundabout, was inaugurated by former army chief general VP Malik on September 21, 2024. Nearly two years later, residents and visitors say the civic authorities need to pay greater attention to its upkeep.

The overgrown grass in the park, an open gutter outside the entrance and a damaged footpath have made the approach to the memorial appear neglected. For those who visit to pay homage to a soldier, the ...