A war memorial commemorating the sacrifices of Indian soldiers who fought during the First World War will be inaugurated next month in a small village in France to mark 100 years of the war.
The French government has given land in Villers Guislain village for the construction of the war memorial for a token one euro.
This is a first of its kind memorial with the Ashoka emblem, that will recognise the sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the war. A senior Indian dignitary is likely to be present for the inauguration event on November 10.
The memorial is being built near Cambrai, where Indian troops fought and tanks were used in warfare for the first time.
"The war memorial will have the Ashoka symbol made of bronze atop a platform with a plaque in French recognising the Indian contribution, and will be named the Indian Military Memorial in France," said Squadron Leader Ratan TS Chhina (retd), from the USI (United Service Institution of India), a military think-tank.
Over 1.5 million Indians fought in the First World War, and 73,000 laid down their lives. Indian cavalry men on horses played a stellar role in the battle where Lance Daffadar Gobind Singh — who died fighting in December 1917— was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British gallantry award.
As part of the project, families of those who fought in the war have also been tracked down, not just in India but also in Pakistan.
The British High Commission in India has planned different events from November 9-11 to mark 100 years of the war. A joint India-UK band concert will be held at India Gate on November 10 followed by a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence. World War One diaries of Indian units will be presented to the colonels, and a soft copy will be given to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A remembrance service will be held on November 11 at the Delhi War Cemetery.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Memorial")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}