JOIN USAir Marshal K C Cariappa said people remember Gods and soldiers during national turmoil.
He was speaking after inaugurating an international seminar on 'The First World War: Indian Context,' organised by the Department of History at St Aloysius College, in association with Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, at the LCRI Auditorium on Friday.
He said during the First World War, 1.5 million soldiers from India were part of various countries' regiments and cavalries. Out of them, 72,000 were killed and 67,000 were injured. In 1914, Indian soldiers in the European troupes had suffered great difficulties due to lack of basic amenities and were discriminated. There was an opinion saying Indians are not fit for command troupes, he added.
Cariappa said till 1917, Indian soldiers were not conferred any of the gallantry awards. There were 247 troupes during the World War, the largest in the world. The fortitude of Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers are recalled while speaking about the role of soldiers during Second World War in the Indian context, he said.
During the pre-independence era, Indians had fought for other countries risking their lives. Despite the sacrifice made by martyrs, they fade away from public memories, he lamented.
Air Commodore C K Kumar, who was the guest, said a soldier's profession is one of the noblest professions one can think of. Youths can make a career by being a part of the Army, serving the nation, he added.
St Aloysius College principal Fr Pravin Martis also spoke on the occasion.
Presiding over the programme, St Aloysius College Institution Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz hoped that the international seminar will become a platform to remember the unsung heros and heroines.
Jadhavpur University Professor Kaushik Roy delivered the keynote address. seminar chief coordinator Dr Vishanz Pinto, assistant coordinator Dr Denis Ferenandes and student coordinator Vidyashree Patil were present on the occasion.