The French expats in the city found themselves in eerily familiar circumstances as they stood in silence at the French War Memorial on Friday to mourn the victims of the latest terror attack in their country—this time the perpetrator of mass killings was a truck driver who ploughed through a crowd gathered for Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, France.
With disturbing frequency, this former French enclave has been jolted awake by horrific news back home, from the Charlie Hebdo shootings in 2015, the multiple terror strikes in Paris in November in 2016 to the latest tragedy in Nice that left 84 dead and scores injured.
And each time their ideals and their way of life was challenged through mindless murder of innocents, the French population and the local residents of this city have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with the victims and re-dedicated themselves to the core values of free speech and thought, equality and fraternity.
On Friday evening, in response to an appeal by the Consulate, which had barely wound up celebrations of the French National Day on July 14, scores of people from all walks of life assembled at the French War Memorial to pray for the victims of the carnage in Nice.
Mourners observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls. In a symbolic gesture, people lit candles and placed wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the War Memorial.
Sunil Kumar Gautam, the city’s new Additional Director-General of Police, also placed a wreath at the Memorial.
The mass rendering of the French national anthem followed.
French Consul General Phillipe Janvier-Kamiyama who led the prayer meeting, said this was a time for everyone who believed in humanity to stick together.
“We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families,” he said.
Mr. Janvier-Kamiyama added that India and France, who were allies in so many endeavours, must also fight against terrorism together.
“All means of violence against innocent civilians is deplorable,” said Olivier Litvine, Director, Alliance Francaise, Puducherry. “France is being targeted for being a secular country. The only way to defeat terrorism is to stand resolutely by our beliefs and uphold the core values of liberty, equality and fraternity,” Mr. Litvine said.
Earlier, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy called on the Consul General at the French Consulate at offered his condolences. As a precautionary measure, security is being strengthened at the Consulate.
The French national flag at the Consulate will fly at half-mast till Monday following France declaring three days of mourning.
