A tribute to the unknown soldier

The Hindu: Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 26, 2009
Rahi Gaekwad
Armed forces film archives tell the story of the Indian Army role in World War II. About 62 short films, documentaries are being screened. The films laud the achievements of Indian regiments.
MUMBAI: Many will perhaps remember the nail-biting moments when a Sikh soldier bent precariously over a landmine in the Oscar-winning The English Patient, set partly in post-World War-II Italy.

A rich piece of history lies embodied in the character of the Indian soldier fighting in the Allied forces.

The Films Division in Mumbai opened a rare chapter in history on Thursday. About 62 short films and documentaries sourced from the archives of the Armed Forces Film and Photo Division (AFFPD) are being screened over the next two days as part of the World War II Film Festival.

The story of the Indian Army’s contribution in World War II is the story of the War itself. Whatever be India’s differences with Britain, this was India’s war. Independence Day 1947, India Strikes Back, A Day with the Indian Troops in Egypt, The Battle of Kohima, On the Road to Mandalay and The Madras Guards are some of the movies from the black-and-white collection on the list.

Made by British production houses and Bombay Talkies, among others, the films laud the achievements of the various Indian regiments sent to Burma, Italy, Malaya, Egypt, France, Singapore, Indonesia and other countries.

Indians volunteered in large numbers and were among the first to get the Victoria Cross, the equivalent of Param Vir Chakra.

There is intrigue and fascination, as the imperial lens captures the moments with the Indian Army. There is something awesome about the rustic Indian handling mechanised weapons with ease. And there is praise for the physical strength he uses to tame difficult terrain, the strength required to do farm work in India stands him in good stead.

In a way, the films are typical of colonial narratives.

Native food, sports, pleasures are a source of fascination, even amusement. So, the shape of the Indian bread, chapatti, is seen as “strange.”

“The Indian soldier is a very thrifty person. Every month he is able to send a [considerable] amount to his missus and the kiddies,” the narrator informs.

There are even compelling stories that bring home a very indigenous history, a poignant one being the Army’s efforts during the Bengal Famine of 1943. Truckloads of food, labelled ‘Food for the people,’ soldiers cooking and serving cadaverous men, women and children, bathing and treating them, show the humane side of the Army and India’s reality at once.

Major General (Retd.) D’Souza, 89, said to be the only surviving officer from the war period, inaugurated the festival. He highlighted the need for a national war memorial for the Indian soldiers. “Indian troops took part in every single theatre of World War II.” He also urged the youth to watch the films to get themselves acquainted with history and the conditions of the soldiers.
A tribute to the unknown soldier