UK - Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2018 100th Year Anniversary of the End of the First World War
Last Saturday at our local supermarket was a trestle table with merchandise in a regulated fund raising campaign for the Royal British Legion, a British National Movement to say “Thank You” to the entire First World War Generation. All who served, sacrificed and changed our world. Customers appear to be taken aback as it was manned by fellow Indians. There was non-existent reporting in the local media that on Sunday 28 October at the Diwali Celebrations at Trafalgar Square, London there was a limited run of Khadi Poppies. These poppies are identical to the Legion and Poppy in all ways except the petals are made of Khadi, a spun cotton cloth popularised by Mahatma Gandhi on his spinning wheel. The Legion will not accept any donations for this but asks that it be worn as a “Thank You” to the First World War Generation and encourage other British Asians to do the same. Together, we can ensure that Remembrance is understood and available to all and handed to the next generation. Asian Voice Vol 47 issue 27 reminds us most Britons are unaware of the contribution made by the British Indian Army in undivided India of more than 4 million men (over 1.5 Mn in World War 1) The British memories of those who died in the World Wars is very Eurocentric. Many have forgotten how soldiers from colonial India gave up their lives for a country they were not born in, or have ever visited. The memorial gate at Hyde Park set up by Baroness Flather is the only monument to particularly remember the soldiers of the Commonwealth. While war raged in Europe and the Baltics research by Mr Clifford Pereira a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society tells of Goan Stewards on board Royal Navy ships in the Battle for lake Victoria in East Africa. This Sunday the 11 of November attend a service of Remembrance near you and be an ambassador for Goa for this day at the 11 hour the angry guns went silent a hundred years ago. The power of Prayer and lighting candles in Church also helps keep the peace, Be advised that the Goan Chaplaincy based at St Peter and Paul Church, One Cranmer Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4LD in addition to the monthly Konkani Mass is holding a Memorial Service at 3.00pm on 11 November. Fr Patrick Dsouza has requested you send a list of your loved ones that are no longer with us and join in at a Tea and Snacks Social after mass. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath Surrey England
