The Remembrance Day event was conceptualized as a memorial exercise to ponder the poignant history of mass displacement and extract lessons from it
On August 14, the Indian High Commission in London observed the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, paying homage to the victims and acknowledging the resilience displayed by the people during India’s partition in August 1947. The solemn occasion featured a special photographic exhibition, accompanied by musical and poetic tributes that aimed to honor the sacrifices made during this tumultuous period.
Community leaders, members of the Indian diaspora, and dignititaries gathered to remember the painful memories of the past and observed a moment of silence in memory of the day, which came a day before India’s 77th Independence Day celebrations.
Addressing the gathering, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami expressed a sentiment of bittersweet celebration during India’s independence, as it came at the cost of immense human suffering. He reflected on the unexpected division of homes, villages, and towns, resulting in a unique and tragic story of displacement, one of the largest in human history.
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The commemoration took place at the Gandhi Hall of India House, where the event concluded with the singing of the Indian National Anthem
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Attendees then moved to the Nehru Hall to explore a photographic exhibition that traced the historical journey of Partition, further reflecting on the shared history and its lasting impact
The Remembrance Day event was conceptualized as a memorial exercise to ponder the poignant history of mass displacement and extract lessons from it. High Commissioner Doraiswami emphasized the significance of taking a moment of pause before jubilantly celebrating India’s independence.
The commemorative event featured a musical recital of ‘Vande Mataram’ on the violin and poetry renditions by British Indian filmmaker Lalit Mohan Joshi, who drew from the works of pre-Partition author Dr. Gautam Sachdev. Additionally, Dr. Hilal Fareed from the Royal College of Surgeons delivered uplifting ghazal recitals, adding a touch of artistic homage to the occasion.
Among the attendees were members of the Indian diaspora in their 90s, who were teenagers during the Partition era. These survivors, like Shakuntala Kaushal and Brij Mohan Gupta, bore witness to the events of that time and brought a personal touch to the event.
The commemoration took place at the Gandhi Hall of India House, where the event concluded with the singing of the Indian National Anthem. Attendees then moved to the Nehru Hall to explore a photographic exhibition that traced the historical journey of Partition, further reflecting on the shared history and its lasting impact.
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