``It is because of the sacrifice of the dedicated men that we are celebrating Diwali,'' said Mathkari. ``We, therefore, will pay our respects to the martyrs and then start the festival celebrations''.

Narak Chaturdashi commemorates the conquest of the evil by the good. Hence the lighting of the lamps.

The organisers will have no VVIP chief guest. They request the Puneites, who have great respect for the guardians of our freedom, to attend the unique ceremony and light a lamp.

``This is the first national war memorial in the country carrying the names of the martyrs,'' says Mathkari. No longer is the famous couplet in Marathi, Naahi chira naahi panati (There is neither a brick nor a lamp in memory of the departed soldier) valid, at least for Maharashtra. Names are already engraved on marble here. And now, we will light the lamps''.

For Mathkari and associates, a war memorial is a shrine. They will play shehnai on the occasion. Their perception of the memorial is positive and sentimental. They regard it as a temple (not a cemetery). ``After all, you call them amar jawan. They are not dead for us. They are the living source of inspiration,'' said one of them. ``An amar jawan is an immortal jawan,'' says Mathkari. ``He is not dead. He is very much there. And we want to pay respect to him by playing soulful music, not mourning tunes.'' Those wishing to participate may assemble at the memorial at Morwada Junction -- the junction of Mahadji Shinde Road, Ghorpadi Road and Maneckji Mehta Road in Pune Cantonment near Rajendra Sinhaji Institute (little to the south of the new circuit house and north of Empress Gardens.) by 5 a.m. on Monday, October 19.