Colonel (Retd) Joseph Matthews tells SBS Hindi that at least 30 Indian defence veterans participated in this year's Anzac Day parade in Sydney.
"This year we had an additional six defence veterans who were here to visit their families from India and took part in the parade," Col Matthews says.
Highlights:
- Indian ex-servicemen marched in Anzac Day parades around the country on 25 April
- 'We represent the 16,000 Indian soldiers who took part at Gallipoli,' says Colonel (Retd) Joseph Matthews
- Anzac Day marks the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey in 1915
Held on 25 April, Anzac Day marks the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey in 1915.
This military campaign during World War I lasted eight months and caused at least 125,000 deaths.
Among that number were Indian troops from Gurkha and Sikh battalions.
"We are here to represent the 16,000 Indian soldiers who took part at Gallipoli," Col Matthews says.
Col Matthews claims that, after researching the vital role played by Indian soldiers at Gallipoli, it was he wrote to the Returned and Services League (RSL) to include an Indian contingent in the parade.
Natioanl Sikh Council of Australia Inc marching for Sikh regiments. Source: Dinita Rishal/SBS Nepali
"Nine years ago I made a three-page submission to RSL detailing how Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives on the frontline," Col Matthews says, adding that almost 2,000 Indian mule drivers also took part in the war.
"In an effort to keep the Anzacs supplied and equipped, the Mule Corps suffered heavy casualties in both men and animals and were the unsung heroes of this war," Col Matthews says.
Group of Indian defence veterans who took part in this year's ANZAC Day parade in Sydney Source: Supplied by Colonel (Retd) Joseph Matthews
"Being a part of this parade is very sentimental for us as it displays the 107-year-old Australian-Indian connection and the ultimate contribution of the Indian soldiers," he adds.
In Melbourne, around 20 Indian defence veterans participated in the first Anzac Day march in two years not impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Col (Retd) Arun Chauhan says, "I have been living in Melbourne for the last 40 years and I have been a part of this march for seven years now. It is a great honour for all of us to be here."
Group of Indian defence veterans marching in Melbourne during ANZAC parade. Source: Supplied by Col Arun Chauhan
Col Chauhan shared that following the march, the group attended a brief lunch hosted by the Indian consulate in Melbourne.
Indian ex-servicemen also participated in Anzac Day parades held in Brisbane and Perth.
A group of Indian defence veterans attending an event at the Indian consulate in Melbourne held on Monday afternoon. Source: Supplied by Col Arun Chauhan.
Lt Col (Retd) Brijinder Singh Sandhu tells SBS Hindi that the Indian contingent in Brisbane was lower than in previous years due to COVID-19.
"We had more than a dozen defence veterans who participated in this year's parade held in Brisbane's CBD but it has always been a heartwarming experience for us," Lt Col Sandhu says.
Indian contingent which took part in this year's ANZAC Day parade held in Brisbane. Source: Supplied by Col B S Sandhu
"Our objective is to keep the memory alive and raise awareness about the Indian contribution to WWI, especially at Gallipoli," he added.
The Indian representation is a self-initiative of defence veterans living in the country.
