One hundred years ago an event took place that changed the shape of this planet and brought in its aftermath death, pestilence, and irrecoverable losses in terms of life, and land. What began as a series of various causes ultimately culminated into a dance of death with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. An often forgotten fact remains that India lost a lot of her sons in this war. Statistics give us the details that over one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. In total at least 74,187 Indian soldiers died during the war. In World War I the Indian Army fought against the German Empire in German East Africa & the Western Front.
The Centenary of the End of World War I reminds us about the loss of millions of people during the war. Ekya School BTM Layout along with students of Ekya School JP Nagar organized an exhibition to commemorate the sacrifices of brave soldiers in World War 1. The students of CMR National Public School were invited to the exhibition to learn more about World War 1. Upon our arrival at the aesthetically designed Ekya campus in BTM Layout, we were ushered into an AV Hall with the students and staff of Ekya School BTM Layout along with students of Ekya JP Nagar.
What followed was a video presentation with facts and figures of the men from India who had sacrificed their lives in World War 1. Indian soldiers were forced to participate in the war along with the British troops as India was part of the Imperial British Colony. Students were then taken in batches to visit the exhibition which was like a mini-walkthrough to the events of World War 1. Students learned about the adversities of war such as living in trenches and tiny hideouts in war fields known as foxholes. A lot of informational posters and hangings were put up to make the students aware of the sacrifices in the war along with the name of those who received medals.
It was impressive to see students of Ekya BTM and Ekya JP Nagar patiently explaining to all batches the nuances of the war with utmost clarity and confidence. The role and sacrifices of Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, and South Africans have been celebrated in books and novels, and even rendered immortal on celluloid in award-winning films like Gallipoli. but a very little about the 1.3 million Indian troops who served in the conflict. It was the Indian jawans (junior soldiers) who stopped the German advance at Ypres in the autumn of 1914, soon after the war broke out, while the British were still recruiting and training their own forces.
A visit that was definitely short on time but high on the learning outcome. It is necessary to commemorate many such contributions of India to the world. The exhibit displayed by Ekya School BTM Layout further reinforces the fact that our contributions shall not be forgotten.
Our thanks to team EKYA for having invited us to this knowledgeable experience.
