New Delhi   

War and friendship lingers on in the new world order

Staff Reporter

Indian veterans attended the Victory Parade at Red Square

SAYING WITH FLOWERS: Commander V.S.P.Mudaliar (L), along with Major General Bikram Singh Kanwar, the two Indian Veterans who went to Moscow for the 60th anniversary celebrations of victory over Germany, being greeted by the Russian Ambassador to Indi a, Mr. Vyacheslav Trunikov in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo:S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI: : The lal `topi' Russi and Hindustani `dil' might be a relic from a bygone black and white era, but during the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Allied Victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in Moscow, the song came together in a different way. Representing the band of forgotten World War II soldiers, Indian veterans - Commander V.P.S. Mudaliar and the Major-General Bikram Singh Kanwar - who attended the Victory Parade at Red Square got a chance to share the `feeling' of friendship that lingers on in the new world order. pBonding about a war fought against a `common' enemy years ago that altered the course of history and the winds of change over tea with the Russian Ambassador, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, here on Wednesday, it was a trip down memory lane for the two members of the Indian Ex-Services League.

"We were very happy to be there. There were tears in the eyes of all those people who had lost husbands or fathers in the war. Moscow is completely different from when I went there in 1985. There is so much technical advancement there. The world has changed. Everyone had houses owned by the government earlier, but now people have built big houses,'' stated 92-year-old Commander V.S.P. Mudaliar who had served under British Navy in 1941-42.

Images of the war

With the images of the war still fresh in his mind, Commander Mudaliar had participated in the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War on an invitation from the Russian side and had given a speech in the Kremlin on the behalf of the Indian delegation. "It is quite sad that people have forgotten the heroes of the war -- the grandfathers and great grandfathers who had fought for their independence,'' he rued.

While it might have been an opportunity to refresh memories for some, for others like Major-General Bikram Singh Kanwar who was on his first visit to Russia it was a chance to `learn'.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

AICC approves list of DROs; setback to Sheila
New security system to check robbery
Bail plea hearing in Nitish Katara case deferred
War and friendship lingers on in the new world order
AICC seeks report on party manifesto implementation
Six alleged cheats arrested
Meningitis claims one more life
Police help against NGO chief sought
Sale of DU admission forms from June1
Plea seeks CBI inquiry against DD director
Teachers from small towns shine
Around the City
Briefly
In the Capital Today
DU abuzz with activity

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu