Setting a new tradition, President A P J Abdul Kalam, paid homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation in various wars.

Kalam, the supreme commander of the armed forces, became the first President since Independence to lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in Delhi at a ceremonial function.

Traditionally, it is the prime minister who lays the wreath at the memorial to the soldiers on Republic Day.

Departing from tradition, Kalam had expressed his desire to pay homage to soldiers on the eve of Independence Day.

Kalam was escorted by Defence Minister George Fernandes and service chiefs Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy and General N C Vij as he laid the wreath at the memorial to set off the 57th Independence Day celebrations.

Before the President laid the wreath, a tri-service contingent presented him a guard of honour and later reversed arms as buglers sounded the last post.

According to army sources, the wreath laying by the President on August 14 will henceforth become an annual feature.