Never to be Forgotten – Then or Now portrays personal journeys of individuals in how they have remembered the brave soldiers of WW1, and how the sacrifice of the past is relevant to the future peace of our communities.
Supported by numerous local organisations, the event is hosted by Kamlesh Purohit, from BBC Radio Leicester. He opens the programme.
Cllr Sood offers her thanks to the sponsors of this event for remembering the role in history of the Indian army and their efforts to keep that history alive.
The Lord Mayor highlights the appropriateness of concluding Armed Forces Day celebrations in Leicester and how important it is, that we remember these people not only on a single day but that we keep these memories by teaching these stories of sacrifice to young people.
His Excellency offers his congratulations and commendations to the organisers of the event and his thoughts on their sacrifice.
Nitin Palan, the founder of the Palan Foundation, describes the origins of the project and its objectives. Jane Roemer outlines the achievements so far and the plans yet to come.
Mr. Ballentyne is a member of the Bahá’í faith, a historian engaged with WW1 commemoration for over five years and currently works for the Leicester City Council. He recounts the story of the Indian regiment led rescue of Abdu’l – Baha.
Kishnor Chauhan offers his personal story of remembrance. Mr. Chauhan describes from his perspective and through personal reflections of his son, the dedication of the men and women who choose to serve in the military forces today and one must believe in the past.
Mr. Palan closes the event by praising the contributions that were made by all soldiers of all faiths that have died for us, but also the inspirational contributions that are being made by each of the people in today’s programme.
Madhu Chauhan and the Pukar Women’s group sing renditions of several patriotic devotional songs from Bollywood films set in the war.