The Armistice Day commemoration programme held at the French War Memorial on Tuesday saw Puducherry play host to a galaxy of dignitaries who paid respect to soldiers who died in World War I.
French Consul-General Philippe Janvier-Kamiyama led the wreath laying ceremony in the presence of Laurent Lucarelli, Assistant Defence Attaché, Embassy of France, New Delhi; Sean Kelly, Australian Consul-General to South India; Bart de Groof, Consul-General of Belgium; and S. Sundaravadivelu, District Collector of Puducherry.
Also present were Olivier Litvine, director, Alliance Francaise; Aline Charles, Principal, Lycee Francais; Consular Councillors Siva Predibane and Kanaga Selvam-Govindassamy. The Puducherry Police Band played the national anthems of India and France and a moment of silence was observed in honour of the soldiers.
Representatives of various French civilian, cultural and soldiers’ associations placed wreaths at the memorial. Schoolchildren from Lycée Français sang the national anthems of India and France.
Mr. Kamiyama remembered the sacrifice of the soldiers.
At the reception hosted by Mr. Kamiyama at the French Consulate, a short film with photographs of Indian soldiers in World War I was shown.
