Remembering WWII
TSE

Fitting tributes were paid to all the soldiers killed in the Battle of Imphal during World War II at Imphal Indian War Cemetery, Hatta and Imphal Indian War Cemetery, Deulalane today.

The memorial function which marked the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal was jointly organised by the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Governor VK Duggal, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Commonwealth War Graves Commission Director Barry Murphy led the gathering in paying floral tributes to the World War-II soldiers.

Australian High Commission to India First Secretary (Defence) Jane Spicer, Embassy of United States, Military Attache Col Larry J Redmon, British Deputy High Commissioner to India Scott Furssedonn Wood, GOC 57 Mountain Division Maj Gen BM Bali and some veterans of World War II also participated in the memorial function.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor VK Duggal said that they were gathered there in memory and honour of the soldiers of both sides martyred at the Battle of Imphal.

Thousands and thousands of soldiers were killed in the Battle of Imphal which is rated as one of the fiercest and decisive battles fought in Asia. Names and ranks of soldiers who were on records are engraved in the plaques kept in Imphal war cemeteries. But many others were forgotten and lost in history. The Governor also prayed for all those who laid down their life far away from their homes in this place.

Wars throughout history have rendered millions dead and many more injured besides upsetting the economy of both the victor and the vanquished.

In its true sense, there is no victors in wars. The loss is not only in terms of human life but also in terms of damages done to environment and disruption of political, social, cultural and economic systems.

With time, the horrors of the Battle of Imphal have eroded and the opposing parties have become friends.

Stating that Indians were on both sides of the warring nations, VK Duggal appealed to the gathering to pray for all the departed souls, irrespective of which side they were in.

As a corollary outcome of the Battle of Imphal, Manipur earned the distinction of being the graveyard of thousands of brave soldiers who came different parts of the Earth, stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam. It was not only foreign soldiers, many brave sons of Manipur also laid down their life in the Battle of Imphal. Urging the gathering to recall the crucial roles taken by Manipuri people during the Battle of Imphal, the Deputy Chief Minister conveyed gratitude to the World War II veterans who attended the function and made it more meaningful. Col Larry J Redmon remarked he was surprised and thankful on seeing the memorial complexes dedicated to the soldiers killed in the 1944 war here at Imphal.

Manipuri people’s honesty and sense of fairness is reflected in the two cemeteries dedicated to soldiers of both the warring parties. He said that today’s gathering at Imphal which was unknown to them until today would be a life time experience.

In Picture : a War Veteran broke down at Imphal war cemetery