Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Warsaw on Wednesday, paid tribute to the historic ties between India and Poland by laying a wreath at the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial. This visit marks the first time in 45 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Poland.
The memorial, dedicated to Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the former Maharaja of Nawanagar (now Jamnagar), commemorates his extraordinary humanitarian efforts during World War II. In 1942, Maharaja Digvijaysinhji established a camp in Jamnagar to shelter refugee Polish children who had been displaced from the USSR. His compassionate actions saved many lives, particularly those of Jewish children, providing them with safety and care during one of history’s darkest periods.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the memorial came shortly after his arrival in Poland for a two-day visit. He was warmly welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to pay his respects at several other memorials, including Good Maharaja Square, the Monte Cassino Memorial, and the Memorial to Kolhapur Family. These sites hold deep connections between Poland and India, symbolizing a bond forged during the tumultuous years of World War II.
Warsaw’s Good Maharaja Square honors the Maharaja’s legacy, particularly his role in rescuing around 1,000 Polish children. These children, orphaned and displaced by the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939, endured a harrowing journey from Siberia before finding refuge in India. Despite being denied entry at several ports during their passage, the children were ultimately welcomed by Maharaja Digvijaysinhji, who arranged for their care in a specially established camp in Balachadi, near Jamnagar.
In addition to his visit to Good Maharaja Square, Prime Minister Modi will also visit the Monte Cassino Memorial, which commemorates the Polish soldiers who fought valiantly in the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II. The Second Polish Corps played a crucial role in capturing the hill and its monastery, a victory that came at the cost of over 900 Polish soldiers’ lives.
Prime Minister Modi’s visits to these memorials underscore the enduring relationship between India and Poland, rooted in mutual respect and shared history.