Indian Embassy in Netherlands to host service for WW martyrs

The Hague (Netherlands), Nov 9 (IANS) The Indian Embassy in the Netherlands will host a Commonwealth Remembrance Day Service on Sunday at the Westduin Cemetery here to honour the sacrifices of Commonwealth forces in the First and Second World Wars.

The service will be hosted on behalf of the Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, a statement from the Embassy said.

"The forces of undivided India played a significant part in both World Wars. Her 163,000 dead are buried and commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in war cemeteries in 60 countries," it added.

During the service, Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony will lay a wreath on the graves of the soldiers along with the ambassadors of the other Commonwealth countries.

The Ambassador will read the poem 'The Gift of India' by poet Sarojini Naidu which speaks about the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War I, the statement said.

A special photo exhibition showcasing the contribution of Indian soldiers in WW I will also be displayed at the cemetery after the service.

The Commonwealth-Netherlands Joint Committee organises the Remembrance Day ceremony annually and different embassies host the event in turns.

The Westduin Cemetery contains 87 Commonwealth burials of World War II, majority of whom are airmen.

The Commonwealth Graves Commission marks and maintains the graves of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two World Wars, maintains memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown and provides records of the 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most countries throughout the world.

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