Naidu recounts contributions of Indian soldiers in World War-I
New Delhi: Expressing his solidarity to about 14 lakh Indian soldiers who took part in the battle theatre of World War-I and lost their lives just in the hope that India would be free from the British rule, Naidu said, "I got emotional after knowing that about 14 lakh Indian soldiers fought with valour and distinction during World War I on numerous battlefields and lost their lives while taking on 'unknown' enemies during the war"
"Indian soldiers fought the battle for the freedom of India. They travelled to countries like France, Belgium, Aden, Persia, etc and lived there in very adverse conditions. Even they were not even given the right amount of food to eat, suitable clothes to wear, they participated in the battles and fought with valour and gave up their lives," Naidu said during an informal interaction organised to brief about his recently concluded Paris visit. During his Paris visit, Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the first India-built war memorial in northern France to pay tribute to thousands of Indian soldiers who fought selflessly and made supreme sacrifices during the World War I. Naidu had also interacted with French armed forces veterans and children at the inauguration of the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain.
"About 74,000 Indians were killed in this war. About 1.40 lakh Indian soldiers took part in the battle theatre in France and Belgium where 9,300 brave Indian soldiers gave up their lives in this battlefield alone fighting on the side of righteousness that India has always stood for," Naidu told reporters.
"The initiative taken by the French government to organise various events, including a 3-day global peace forum served as a painful reminder of the battles of the last century and the current threats to peace and harmony in the current world," the Vice President said.
"I am going to suggest the government to highlight in an appropriate manner how lakhs of Indian soldiers fought for the right cause in far-off battle theatres though World War I was not an Indian battle in the true sense of it. This will be in line with our ancient values of upholding the spirit and philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he said.
