President Pranab Mukherjee of India laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Brussels, Belgium, in memory of soldiers who fought during the First World War.
President Mukherjee, who made a state visit to Belgium last week, laid the wreath on Friday 4th October as a bugler played ‘The Last Post’.
Thousands of Indian troops fought and died during the conflict fighting for the British Empire.
President Mukherjee said during the service: “I pay my respects at the Unknown Soldier’s monument which commemorates the sacrifices of soldiers who fought in World War I”.
“Amongst them, were Indian soldiers who fought valiantly on the battlefields of Europe during this war to whom I also pay homage”.
“As I stand here, I am constantly reminded how the devastating consequences of war exemplify the universal and eternal relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s message for peace “There is no way to peace, peace is the way””.
It is reported that plans for a monumnet in Belgium dedicated to unkown Indian soldiers who fought during the First and Second World Wars is underway.
Source: Office of the President of India press release
Date of press release publication: 04/10/2013
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News