The city on Tuesday remembered how Hiroshima fell silent in shock and pain when the world’s first atom bomb was dropped on it this day 68 years ago.
The anniversary of the incident that changed the face of war and tilted global power equations was observed here. Students from various schools marched to the Secretariat and lit 68 candles in front of the memorial structure erected in connection with the programme.
It was on August 6, 1945, that an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, dropped the world’s first atom bomb over the city of Hiroshima killing thousands of people. The terror continued on August 9 when another atom bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, causing the immediate death of 40,000 people.
The students pledged to promote peace and promised to work towards promoting religious harmony in the country.
Mayor K. Chandrika inaugurated the observance meeting that was jointly organised by State Information and Public Relations Department, Thiruvananthapuram YMCA, and Swaranjali — a city-based music and arts group — at the YMCA hall in the city.
Speaking at the function, Mayor said the younger generation had to be taught that war was not a solution to any problem.
“We know that Japan, as a country, is still facing the consequences of that incident that happened 68 years ago. Hence it is important to teach our children to defy war and promote peace,” she said.
This year’s Harmony award, instituted by Swaranjali for best contribution to music, was awarded to Fr. M.P. George, who is an experienced musician from Kottayam.
Painting and quiz competitions were held for school students as part of the observance. Ms Chandrika distributed prizes to the winners of the competitions.
