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Commonwealth War Graves Commission launches new education website to honour India's war dead

Commonwealth War Graves Commission launches new education website to honour India's war dead

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 09 November 2011

As Britain and the Commonwealth prepare to mark Remembrance Day, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched a new website about the often-overlooked contribution and sacrifices made by the people of Undivided India during the two world wars.

"Forever India" at www.cwgc.org/foreverindia tells the remarkable story of some of the millions of Indians who left their homes in order to fight for the Allied cause.

India's contribution during both world wars was vital and its involvement should never be forgotten. More than 160,000 servicemen and women died and are commemorated by the Commission in fifty countries around the world. Their stories of bravery and sacrifice are both inspirational and sobering.

The Forever India website is the result of a joint project between the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Indian government - who are one of six governments that fund the Commission's work.

Alan Pateman-Jones, Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said: "The Commission's new Forever India website tells a powerful story of which many people remain unaware. Forever India will allow young people to explore Commonwealth history in a broader context and to uncover some personal accounts from the people of Undivided India who served and died, but whom the Commission continues to honour at memorials and cemeteries around the world."

Forever India can be found at www.cwgc.org/foreverindia

For further information, please contact the Commission's Head of External Communications, Peter Francis, on 01628 507163 or 07766255884 or peter.francis@cwgc.org

Ends.

Notes for Editors:

1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of those members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars, for building and maintaining memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown and for providing records and registers of these 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most countries throughout the world. For more information visit www.cwgc.org

2. "Undivided India"
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission remembers servicemen and women from 'Undivided India' which includes the countries today called Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar) Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal.

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

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