EXHIBITIONS COMMEMORATE SHARED HISTORY OF INDIANS AND ANZACS
Two photographic exhibitions commemorating the role of India, Australia and New Zealand in World War I will be launched today at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi.
The exhibitions pay tribute to the Centenary of the Gallipoli Landings on April 25, 1915 – and 100 years of shared military co-operation between the three nations.
The brainchild of Australian war historian Peter Stanley and Sqn Ldr (Retd) Rana T.S. Chhina from the United Service Institution, Indians and Anzacs depicts troops from all three countries in Gallipoli and other theatres of World War I. The exhibition has been curated from photographs sourced from archives in Australia, New Zealand and India.
Developed by the Australian War Memorial, Camera on Gallipoli features stunning photographs of the Gallipoli campaign as seen through the lens of Sir Charles Ryan, a famous Australian surgeon who served in World War I.
Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling said more than five thousand Indian soldiers were either killed or wounded during the Gallipoli campaign.
“Gallipoli and the Anzacs are at the absolute heart of our collective sense of national identity in both Australia and New Zealand, and India’s important role in this campaign deserves a far greater audience,” Mr Suckling said.
New Zealand High Commissioner to India Grahame Morton said the exhibitions displayed the shared camaraderie between troops from India, Australia and New Zealand.
“New Zealanders, Indians and Australians were at the forefront of the Gallipoli landings, 100 years ago this year. These exhibitions commemorate the troops’ collective efforts and sacrifice, and provide a poignant glimpse of the shared experiences and relationships that were forged on the battlefield,” Mr Morton said.
Sqn Ldr Chhina said India was honoured to be a part of the centenary commemoration of the landings that took place at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
“Gallipoli has come to symbolise more than just a military campaign. It is today recognised as forming a cornerstone of the national identities of Australia, New Zealand as well as modern Turkey,” he said.
“However, it is not often realised that India too had a significant military presence at Gallipoli. We are delighted that in this centenary year, the valour and sacrifice of those Indian soldiers who fought and died in the Dardanelles campaign is finally being remembered and given due acknowledgement.”