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Tribune, 9-3-2015
WW-I expo to bring subcontinent together; opens in Delhi tomorrow
A cannon that would be part of exhibits on display
Ajay Banerjee
The centenary commemorations of World War-I (1914-18) will showcase the subcontinental
heritage of what was once British India -- now divided into countries, separated in some cases by
hostile borders. A five-day exhibition to mark 100 years of the war opens at the Manekshaw
Convention Centre in Delhi Cantonment on March 10.
It will showcase the role of men from the subcontinent -- India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh -in fighting the war in faraway Europe, Africa and West Asia. Organised by the Indian Army, the
commemoration will be a mark of respect to all those who died, irrespective of which modern-day
country their progeny now live in.
On March 9, a day before the exhibition opens, an event will create a history of sorts. President
Pranab Mukherjee will lay a wreath at the India Gate.
Joining him in honouring the martyrs will be diplomats from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh,
UK and France.
It will be probably for the first time in recent decades that a Pakistani diplomat has been invited to
an Indian military function at the iconic India Gate.
On March 10, the exhibition will open. It will have busts of all the 11 Victoria Cross winners
(gallantry awardees), including the three who went to Pakistan in 1947 and two others who hailed
from Nepal. “In 1914, there was no Pakistan. We had fought alongside the British. It makes sense
to have the busts of even those who became Pakistani nationals after the creation of two separate
countries,” a senior officer explained.
The opening day of the exhibition coincides with the ‘Battle of Neuve Chapelle’ marking the British
offensive in the Artois region of France in which the Garhwal Brigade and Meerut Division of the
British Indian Corps participated. About 15 lakh Indian soldiers fought in the war and over 74,000
died.
The President will inaugurate the exhibition that will be open to the general public on three days -March 11 to 13 -- with special permission being given to school and college students.
The exhibition will highlight how the ‘Great War’ was fought and won, its impact on the lives of
Indian soldiers on the frontline and at home. It will showcase 13 campaigns, wartime weapons and
equipment, memorabilia and various artifacts.
A ‘Corner of Remembrance’ in the exhibition will have old letters; an old home in neglect with the
belongings of soldiers, giving a feeling of anxiousness of the families waiting for their sons to return
home.
The ‘Sacrifice Hall’ will include replicas of the Amar Jawan Jyoti, Indian memorials, busts and
paintings of Victoria Cross winners in India and abroad.
The outdoor exhibits will give a glimpse of the dress, equipment, bunkers, guns and a replica of
Brighton Hospital.
The miniature Brighton Hospital will depict the treatment and the trauma that the Indian soldiers
went through.
A dynamic band display by the Indian Army brass and pipe bands will also be conducted as part of
the mega event.
On the opening day, Chief of the Indian Army General Dalbir Singh Suhag will briefly highlight the
role and sacrifices of the Indian soldiers during the great war. The President will release a
commemorative first day cover and hand over the first day cover to the Army Chief.
The same day, the Vice-Chief of the Indian Army, Lt Gen Philip Campose, will flag off a veterans'
run.
A flame ‘Heritage Torch’ will be carried from the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Brar Square, to
Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. The last veteran runner will be Honorary Captain Bana Singh
(retd), a Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee. He will hand over the ‘Heritage Torch’ to the President
for lighting the symbolic ‘Flame of Remembrance’.