Montone: Remembering the supreme sacrifices of the Indian soldiers who fought during Italian campaign of the Second World War, the commune of Montone and Italian Military historians today unveiled a “V.C Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial” here as a tribute to the Indian troops and Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, Victoria Cross, who was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley.
The memorial is in the form of a live Sundial. The motto of the memorial is “Omines Sub Eodem Sole” which translates in English as “We all live under the same sun”.
Dr Neena Malhotra, Ambassador of India in Italy and the Indian Defence Attaché represented India during the ceremony. Many Italian citizens, distinguished guests and members of the Italian Armed Forces also graced the occasion. The Indian Ambassador and the Mayor of Montone inaugurated the Yeshwant Ghadge Memorial to commemorate gallantry and sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the Italian campaign.
Montone is a commune in the province of Perugia in the Italian region Umbria, located about 35 km north of Perugia,.
A special postcard was also released. Distinguished guests from Italian government, military, military historians and citizens graced the occasion.
Indian Soldiers played a central role in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War, wherein more than 50,000 Indian Army soldiers from the 4th, 8th and 10th Divisions were involved. Out of the 20 Victoria Crosses awarded in Italy, six were won by Indian soldiers. Indian soldiers suffered 23,722 casualties, of which 5,782 Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice, and are commemorated in the 40 Commonwealth War Graves spread all over Italy.
In order to make this memorial a participative endeavour, an Indian Army plaque has been placed on it commemorating the gallant sacrifice of all ranks of the Indian Army who fought in the Italian Campaign.
Indian External Affairs Ministry stated that the inauguration of the Yeshwant Ghadge sundial memorial will deepen the unique historical connect between Italy and India. It said the inauguration of this Memorial honouring the contributions during Italian Campaign is a testimony to the fact that Italy holds in high reverence the supreme sacrifices and contributions by the Indian Soldiers during the Italian Campaign of the Second World War.
– global bihari bureau
