Paris witnessed history relived 107 years after, as the accompanying tweet from Additional Directorate General of Public Information Bureau reminds.
The black-and-white photograph is a snippet from World War I. In 1916, Sikh soldiers (then part of the British Indian Army) were marching on the streets of France on a victory parade. Here a lady is seen pinning a flower on an Indian soldier. The act was presumably out of gratitude and exuberance for saving her country from German occupation.
And recently, on July 14, the memory returned with the commemoration of Bastille Day where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the parade this year as Guest of Honour.
France President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron were among dignitaries attending the Bastille Day Military Parade.
Champs-Elysees march A contingent, represented by one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army – the Punjab Regiment – marched at the Champs-Elysees to the beats of Sare Jahan Se Accha Hindustan Hamara, played by the Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band.
And in the sky, Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara base in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, formed a part of the fly past during the parade.
The IAF contingent was commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. While Captain Aman Jagtap led the Indian Army troop comprising 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band, Commander Vrat Baghel was at the head of the Indian Navy contingent.
World War I & II
Incidentally, troops from Punjab Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as in postIndependence operations. In World War I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours. The gallant soldiers fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus, and France.
In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915 earning the Battle Honours ‘Loos’ and ‘France and Flanders’. In World War-II, they earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours.
Strategic Partnership
This year, India and France are celebrating 25 years of Strategic Partnership. Armies of the two countries have been participating in joint exercises and sharing their experiences. Over the years, India and France have become reliable defence partners.
The association of the two armies goes back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return. Another 67,000 were wounded.
They made significant contributions in various theatres of the war from Asia to Africa and Europe. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice significantly contributed towards winning the war.
Unfinished portrait
Tributes have been pouring in. In the UK, an unfinished portrait of two Indian soldiers who served in World War I by Philip de László remains a prized possession. Valued at £650,000 (over Rs 66 lakh), an export ban was put upon the painting so that it did not leave UK’s shores.
The painting depicts cavalry officers Risaldar Jagat Singh and Risaldar Man Singh. They were said to be junior troop commanders in the British Indian Army’s Expeditionary Force who served at the Battle of the Somme and are presumed dead in action.
The soldiers sat for the artist in London two months before being sent to France to fight.
Such recognition and the awards bestowed on Indian troops establish their valour, as recognised by most nations.
