The Australia India Cenotaph Committee (A project of Hindu Council Australia) along with Hornsby RSL Sub Branch conducted the fifth Remembrance Day service at Anzac Jawan Cenotaph on 6 Nov 2022 to commemorate the sacrifices made by the ANZAC of Indian origin during WW1.
The ANZAC Jawan Cenotaph was erected in 2018 to celebrate the Armistice Centenary of the ANZAC to recognize and commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the ANZAC of Indian origin.
The service commenced with landowner acknowledgment by Master of Ceremonies Mr. Anand Manickam from the AIC Committee, CTHS school captains lowering of the flags followed by the Welcome the dignitaries, attendees by Mr. Ashwani Sharma, Director –Hindu Council of Australia and Inaugural Commemoration by Mr. George Main President, Hornsby RSL Sub-branch. All in honor of the ANZACs sang the hymn (Abide with me) with music.
Indian Army Veterans Col. Virender Sahni & Major Gen. Amardeep Bharadwaj delivered the Remembrance Day messages at the service. VIP Guest Commemoration Speakers were Honorable Mr. Damian Tudehope MLC, Minister for Finance and Employee Relations representing NSW Premier Hon. Dominic Perottet, Hon. Manish Gupta Consul General of India in Sydney and the Principal Commemoration Speaker Hon. Philip Ruddock AO – Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council
Mr. George Main also remembered and paid tribute to the ANZACs of Indian origin Soldiers for their major contribution and valor in WW1.
Col. Virender Sahni and Major Gen. Amardeep Bhardwaj emphasized the tie together between India and Australia after WW2 by citing examples from WW1 and the actions of children of that era.
Hon. Damian Tudehope MLC, Minister for Finance and Employee Relations remembered the sacrifices made by the ANZACs, who never made it back home, which included the Indian soldiers as well for freedom and peace
Hon Manish Gupta, CGI- Sydney also paid tribute to the supreme sacrifices of ANZACs where he talked about ceremonies that commemorate and preserve shared values – an occasion to draw inspiration from the valor of the Indian Soldier’s contribution in both WW1 and WW2 with a strategic partnership.
Hon. Philip Ruddock AO stated that ‘Australians and Indians fought together for those shared rich cultural values. He mentions about Indian cemetery at Gallipoli.
The Hornsby RSL Sub-branch, Ex-Servicemen, Hindu Council National & NSW Teams, AICC, Dignitaries, Community Organizations, Students and the public, and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies laid wreaths while The Lament played
Mr. Arjun Mehta – Gujarati Samaj and Mr. Balbir Singh from Turramurra Gurudwara, offered religious prayers for the Hindu, and Sikh faiths.
The students of IABBV Hindi School sang the National Anthems of Australia and India track. Mr. John Zeller, Vice President of Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch, read the Ode
A one-minute silence was observed in honor of the ANZACs followed by the last post played by Bugler Ms. Anihica Tyagi. After the one-minute silence, the Rouse sounded while School Captains Mr. Harry and Ms. Umica from Cherrybrook Technology High School raised flags from half-mast to the masthead.
Mr. Harmohan Walia (Desi Australia), and Mr. Rajesh (IndusAge) covered the media support service. Mrs. Parinita Tandon, AIC Committee Member, presented the vote of thanks.
The service was concluded by sharing some delicious refreshments sponsored by Bakers Delight – Cherrybrook Village with all the guests.
The Australia India Cenotaph Committee – Mrs. Parinita Tandon, Mr. Anand Manickam, and Mr. Birju Bhatt managed the whole service with the support of Hindu Council Officials and Community volunteers.
