TIL Desk/National/Paris/India will construct a war memorial at Villers-Guislain, a town around 200 km from Paris, to honour the valour and sacrifice of thousands of its soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in World War I. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Paris. This will be the second such memorial in Europe.
During the World War I, Villers-Guislain had witnessed a fierce battle in which the British Indian cavalry regiments were heavily involved. The town was held by the Germans but was finally liberated by allied forces in 1918.
Ms Swaraj, who arrived in Paris from Rome yesterday on the second leg of her four-nation tour, addressed the Indian diaspora at a reception organised in her honour. She said that Indians in every part of the world carry India and its civilisational ethos in their heart.
She also handed over certificates of appreciation to Indian community organisation and individuals who have contributed to the Swacch Bharat Kosh. The minister also attended a ceremony held to name the Indian Culture Centre in the memory of Swami Vivekanand.
