TO COMMEMORATE SACRIFICE OF INDIAN SOLDIERS IN WORLD WAR 1

Inauguration of first statue by IFSC at: 1 Place du 8 Mai, 62840 Laventie, France 11 Nov 2018 at 11:11:11 hours

This marks the commencement of our project to establish 57 such statues near all cemeteries where our Indian soldiers lie buried in France.

The guests of honour include Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Bar). He participated in Operations in Sri Lanka and served with the UN in Mozambique and Rwanda. He is an alumnus of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, USA, Royal College of Defence Studies, London and a postgraduate degree in International Studies from King’s College, University of London. This year, appointed Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir. Ever since his superannuation he has actively pursued intellectual activities, a prolific writer and eloquent speaker. He is a member of Track 2 diplomacy with Pakistan. He writes for The Hindu, The Indian Express, Fauji India and The Tribune on various strategic issues.

Councillor Sunil Chopra was elected as the first Asian Mayor in the Southwark Council for the year 2014-2015. Before this Mr. Chopra served as the Deputy Mayor at Southwark Council. He was the NSUI President in India in the year 1975 and is also the General Secretary, Overseas Friends of Congress India. Mr. Chopra has keen interest in promoting businesses and charities in UK connected with the Asian Diaspora.

GOPIO to Honor Ashook Ramsaran

Guyanese born Ashook Ramsaran was honored by Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) where he served as Secretary General and Executive Vice-Present before his election to 2 successive terms as President of GOPIO International in 2011. He is currently President of Indian Diaspora Council International; Chair of New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital Community Advisory Council; Vice President of Queens Civic Congress; Board Member of St. John’s University Center for Caribbean and Latin American Studies; and Board Member of Fresh Meadows Civic Association. Ramex, is his family owned electronics manufacturing enterprise in New York. Hr actively engages several series of regional and global initiatives to “engage, embrace and enhance” the global Indian diaspora.

He featured in the Global Indian 2011 publication of “Top 25 Most Influential Indians in North America.” He was accorded the Uttar Pradesh Ratna award (2016) and the prestigious Government of India’s Pravasi Samman Award by the President of India (2011) in New Delhi, India.

IFSC and the city of Laventie share a very strong bond. For the last three years, IFSC has been an inseparable part of the Armistice Day celebrations with the people of Laventie. Mr. Jean-Philippe Boonaert, Mayor of Laventie has been gracious to allocate a beautiful location adjacent to the church of St. Vaast dating from the twelfth century. It was only last year on 11th of November that the two human remains of First World War Indian soldiers of the 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles that were discovered in the fields of Laventie now lie buried at Laventie Military Cemetery.

INVITATION

PROGRAM

EXHIBITION

Painting have been prepared and received in France. Pictures being taken by Leonard de Selva in his studio at Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris.

Leonard works as an independent photographer author. Since his first exhibition at the Musée Cantini in Marseille in 1968, he has been constantly working on his lens and exhibiting his photographs around the world. His work illustrates many documentary and artistic works, and is also regularly published in the press, mainly by French publishers.

ESTABLISHMENT OF STATUE

IFSC have commenced work to establish a twelve ton brass statue (3.8 x 12 m) adjacent to the Indian Monument named Neuve Chapelle at Richebourg 63136, France. This large monument in itself is a first of its kinds in the world that depicts soldiers from all faiths on a single platform.

PASSED

BOOK LAUNCH

A book titled Unsung Hero’s of World War 1 written by Mr. Ramesh Chander Vohra is scheduled to be released soon in number of languages to include Hindi, French, English and Punjabi.