The Italian community of Mumbai gathered this morning at the Sewri Christian Cemetery for the traditional ceremony commemorating the Italian prisoners of war deported to India during the Second World War.
The service, celebrated by Father EdCarlos Celestino Martins and Father Mateus, took place at the Military Shrine built in 1954 by the Italian Ministry of Defense and recently restored by the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai.
At the heart of the commemoration were the people, beyond their roles as soldiers, the tragedy of captivity, and the opportunities for dialogue and cooperation that emerged between Italians and Indians.
In his address, Consul General Walter Ferrara emphasized the significance of this day in keeping memory alive. “At this moment in history, when humanity seems to be forgetting the mistakes of the past, remembering is more important than ever. Memory is like a garden. It must be nurtured and cared for, lest time and neglect cause the names on the gravestones to fade and the memories to be lost.”
