The Centenary Commemoration of the First World War (1914-1918), in memory of the 1.5 million Indian soldiers who fought in the war, began on Monday with President Pranab Mukherjee laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti in India Gate.
The commemoration, from March 10-14, is also in memory of the over 74,000 soldiers who laid down their lives fighting the war, whose names are etched in stone on the walls of India Gate. They fought in several theatres across Asia, Africa and Europe.
The centenary commemorations will continue till 2018.
“This is an endeavour of the Indian Army to commemorate the supreme gallantry and sacrifice that Indian soldiers rendered in various theatres of World War I,” Maj. Gen. N.P. Singh, Chief of Staff of 2 Corps, said during an interaction.
March 10 coincides with the Battle of Neuve Chapelle marking the British offensive in the Artois region of France, in which the Garhwal Brigade and the Meerut Division of the Indian Corps participated. Between 1914 and 1918, around 90,000 Indian soldiers fought on the French soil, more than 8,500 of whom perished.
General Jean-Pierre Bosser, Chief of Staff of the French Army, is currently on an official visit in India to pay tribute to the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for France’s freedom during World War I.
The highlight is an exhibition at Manekshaw Centre in which the moments and conditions of World War I have been recreated. The ‘Corner of Remembrance’ in the exhibition will have old letters and an old home with belongings of soldiers while the ‘Sacrifice Hall’ includes replicas of Indian memorials and paintings of Victoria Cross winners in India and abroad.
The Army has also created a replica of a World War I bunker showcasing the living conditions of the soldiers then.
Watch video: President lays wreath at memorial to commemorate World War-1 centenary