The Forgotten History of India's Silent War
MUMBAI, September 2, 2015 — The Hall of Harmony was overflowing with guests at the Nehru Centre when the Asia Society India Centre hosted a riveting discussion with Raghu Karnad, author, Rtd. Sqn. Ldr. Rana T.S Chhina, and journalist James Crabtree on India’s forgotten military history. After a warm welcome from Moomal Mehta, Deputy Director, Asia Society India Centre, Karnad opened the evening by introducing the audience to his initial vision for his book Farthest Field; detailing his personal family connection to the story, and considering the pivotal moment at which people “cease to exist” and slip out of memory.
Crabtree’s first question was about Karnad’s motivations for writing his book Farthest Field, to which Karnad replied he began with an intention to rescue particular family memories before they disappeared, and ended up with an epic tale. Memory was a key theme for the evening; with the impressive Chhina suggesting, of his part in the Indian Air Force, and more generally for the armed forces in WW1 and WW2, that “our role has been obliterated…totally forgotten”.
The conversation considered numerous reasons for the national silence on the matter of WW2 (and indeed, WW1); suggesting the focus on the pre-Independence freedom movement often took precedence over the war(s), with Karnad stating that often it is the colonised countries that are erased from war histories.
After a reading by Karnad from his excellent book, Chhina had a final word: “Those who choose not to remember history regret it, and live to repeat the mistakes of the past”. The evening was a testament to the power of memory; and while many of those who fought pre-Independence wars may be gone, Karnad’s book ensures they will never be forgotten.
Video: Watch the complete program (1 hr., 31 min.)
Reported by: Lauren Bettridge, Intern, Asia Society India Centre