With support from the Wellington MPs and sponsorship from WW100 Ekta was successful in screening the NZ premiere of Farewell my Indian Soldier, a tribute to the Indian soldiers of WW1, at the Beehive Theatrette in Parliament on 12 Dec 2018. About 1.5 million Indian troops both combatants and non-combatants served in all theatres of the war including in Gallipoli where it is estimated that they numbered more than 5,000 and the mule service for the ANZACs was primarily provided by the Indians. The presence of these soldiers in Europe is a virtually unknown fact of history.

 

Parliamentarians Brett Hudson and Chris Bishop hosted the event to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War.

 

The documentary made by Parisian filmmaker, Vijay Singh traces India’s involvement in the Great War through a French girl’s desire to get information of Indian great grandfather who was stationed in France during the war. The documentary made by Parisian film maker, Vijay Singh traces India’s involvement in the Great War through a French girl’s desire to get information of Indian great grandfather who was stationed in France during the war.

It is the first time such a tribute has been screened in New Zealand Parliament for the Indian Soldiers. 130 people attended this screening. 

Former NZ Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand was the main guest.  French Ambassador Sylvaine Carta-Levert who said that France could not forget the very important and significant role the Indian soldiers played in the War and in particular with regards to France.