We also remember Battle of Bhima Koregaon in Pune & Sikh Battle of Saraghari
BOPA – British Organisation for People of Asian Origin aims to promote British identity, community cohesion, integration and peace in our society and connects people and communities from Commonwealth countries living in Midlands.
It was on 11th hour of 11th November, 1918 – 100 years ago when World War 1 came to an end and guns fell silent on the World’s truly Global War. This is the Centenary year to think about all those who lived through this tragic and remarkable times and put Great Britain on the path of becoming what it is today. It is time to say thank for all they did for us one hundred years ago. British Empire, known as Commonwealth, answered the call with volunteers from far and wide including pre-partitioned India, the Caribbean and Africa, all of whom make our vibrant culture of today.
One and a half million volunteers from India came forward and of these, 140,000 troops saw active service on the Western Front and nearly 80000 sacrificed their lives. They fought together, they fell together and together they defended the freedoms that we enjoy today. Indian Corps won 13,000 medals for gallantry including 12 Victoria Crosses – Khudadad Kahn was awarded the first Victoria Cross. If soldiers from Commonwealth did not make these sacrifices, outcome of the war for Great Britain would have been different. Sadly we never hear about this contribution on remembrance days and the stories of Commonwealth bravery have stayed hidden from general public until recently both in UK as well as India.
In order to ensure that Commonwealth contribution is not forgotten when Great Britain commemorates 100 years of World War 1, BOPA is holding this event at National Memorial Arboretum supported by British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air force.
We are remembering other battles in which soldiers from Indian Corps displayed outstanding bravery – Battle of Saragarhi by Sikh soldiers in North-West Frontier now in Pakistan and also Battle of Bhima Koregaon in Pune (India) by Mahar Soldiers which was the turning point in the history of British empire in India.
Baba Sahib Dr B R Ambedkar first visited Koregaon in 1926 and discovered the great victory of 500 Mahar Dalit Soldiers who challenged 50000 strong Peshwa Army. BOPA also pays tribute to the brave Mahar soldiers while celebrating 200th Anniversary year.
It’ll be a beginning of a dream of Ambedkarite NRI’s in UK to build a Koregaon Monument in UK.
Venue: National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Rd, Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent DE13 7AR
Time: 10.00 to 15.00 hrs 500 school children from Birmingham. Coventry & Wolverhampton expected to attend this event
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