Indian soldiers lauded in Israeli textbooks for freeing city

Press Trust of India | Updated: September 23, 2012 11:01 IST
Haifa, Israel: While remaining largely unknown in their own country, some Indian soldiers will now become household names in Haifa in northern Israel after figuring in the history textbooks taught at schools for their contribution in liberating this city in 1918.
The municipality of Haifa has gone ahead with its decision to immortalise the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers, many of whom are buried in the cemetery here, by including the stories of their valiant efforts in liberating the coastal city during the First World War in the school curricula as part of the history textbooks.
"The move is a part of Haifa municipalities efforts to preserve the city's history and heritage," Hedva Almog, deputy Mayor of Haifa told people gathered to pay respects to Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war to liberate the city.
Haifa Historical Society has done an extensive research on the role of the Indian army in the region.
As per their findings, a large number of Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in this region during the First World War and nearly 900 are cremated or buried in cemeteries across Israel.
Almog said that the municipality is planning big centenary celebrations to commemorate the event in 2018, calling upon India to join hands in making it a success.
Charge de Affaires at the Indian mission in Tel Aviv, Vani Rao, reacted positively to the request extending support in organising the Centenary celebrations.
The Indian army commemorates September 23rd every year as Haifa Day, to pay its respects to the two brave Indian Cavalry Regiments that helped liberate the city in 1918 following a dashing cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.
Residents of the Israeli city also celebrate Haifa Day the same day with a series of cultural programmes during the week.
Indian soldiers lauded in Israeli textbooks for freeing city

India's First Independence Day Celebrations In Delhi AUGUST 15,1947

click on photos for enlarged view
Pictures kind courtesy Veteran Arun Saigal

Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the Cavalry week

Photo courtesy Samachar
Teen Murti Memorial was the site for the Wreath Laying Ceremony today which was organised by the Cavalry Officers Association, in memory of the departed cavaliers of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Cavalry has a long and illustrious history of valour and panache. The total Number of Armoured Corps units of the Indian Army at the time of Independence was only 12. Armoured Corps now mounted on the latest T-72 and T-90 tanks is the proud inheritor of the horse mounted Indian Cavalry of yore. For long known as the decisive arm, the Cavaliers are known to change the course of battle by their extraordinary speed and firepower. Teen Murti memorial was raised in 1922 to commemorate the Indian cavalry and armoured regiments representing Britain in battles in Sinai, Palestine and Syria in the First World War. These stone and bronze sculptures were created by Leonard Jennings to commemorate those killed from the cavalry and armored regiments of the then Indian Cavalry Division during World War I in battles in Sinai, Palestine and Syria. The three statues represent cavalry soldiers of three Indian princely states - Hyderabad, Mysore and Jodhpur, together with detachments from Bhavnagar, Kashmir and Kathiawar. The statutes were collectively named Teen Murti and the base carries the names of deceased personnel. The statues stand in front of what became Teen Murti Bhavan, India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru's residence and now the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Till Independence, it used to be Flagstaff House, the British Commander-in-Chief's residence, connected with a direct vista to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The memorial service, wherein wreaths were placed by serving and retired officers of the Cavalry fraternity including two of MVC recipients, Lt Gen RM Vohra (Retd) and Brig AS Bal (Retd), was a simple and solemn ceremony, marked by poise and grace.

Ceremonial Lancemen of all regiments of the Indian Armoured Corps lined the Teen Murti Circle. Speaking on the occasion Lt Gen D Bhardwaj, Director General Mechanised Forces pointed out the great contribution of the Indian Cavalry in protecting the Nation's sovereignity. This is aptly reflected by the gallantry awards earned by the Corps which include 2 PVCs, 15 MVCs and 60 VrCs. The Armoured Corps has a glorious past, made possible by our gallant forefathers, for whom this service was held. "It exhorts todays generation to live up to the high standards laid by our predecessors", General Bhardwaj said.
Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the Cavalry week

Beating the Retreat Ceremony

The President, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at Beating the Retreat Ceremony, in New Delhi on January 29, 2008.

The Band performing at the Beating the Retreat Ceremony, in New Delhi on January 29, 2008.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan and the South and North Block of the Central Secretariat atop Raisina Hill that formed the centerpiece of the Imperial city that Edwin Lutyens built – comes alive during the Beating the Retreat Ceremony, in New Delhi on January 29, 2008.

India Marks 60th Army Day

India's Army Day commemorates the late Field Marshal B. C. Cariappa's taking over as the first Indian commander-in-chief of the armed forces in 1949, two years after India's independence from British rule.

Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor

"There have been some instances which have brought down the image of the army in the eyes of the public," the Army Chief said on the occasion of Army Day. "We are concerned. We will try to maintain the image of the army, which is held in high regard," Gen Kapoor said.

Earlier, addressing officers and jawans of his force, he asked them to ensure that the army's image is kept intact. The Army Chief also highlighted the achievements of the force in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North East but asked the troops to take all measures to avoid collateral damage during such actions. Gen Kapoor said the force had successfully faced challenges and there was need to ‘be ready’ to take on any future challenges.

In the afternoon, the Army Chief held a reception at his residence, which was attended by President Pratibha Patil, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister AK Antony, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, besides many serving and retired Service Officers.

Photograph Credits:

Cavalry AP Photo by Gurinder Osan

Artillery Reuters

NCC Reuters

Gorkha and Sikh Tps AFP