Warsaw:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the first leg of his two-nation tour, paid homage at three significant memorials in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday. Among the tributes was a special homage to Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja of Nawanagar, affectionately known as the “Good Maharaja” in Poland for providing refuge to over 1,000 Polish children during World War II.

Modi’s visit to Poland marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years. His itinerary included tributes at the memorial for the Valivade-Kolhapur camp and the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino, alongside the memorial for the “Good Maharaja.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi emphasised the importance of humanity and compassion as vital foundations of a just and peaceful world. He reflected on the Maharaja’s act of kindness, which continues to be a cherished memory in Poland. “The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw highlights the humanitarian contribution of Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, who ensured shelter as well as care to Polish children left homeless due to the Second World War. Jam Saheb is fondly remembered in Poland as Dobry Maharaja,” Modi stated, sharing images from the memorial.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also posted on X, acknowledging the Maharaja’s significant impact on India-Poland relations. “The story of the ‘Dobry (Good) Maharaja’ is one of the most evocative chapters in the relations between India and Poland,” the MEA wrote, noting the lasting legacy of the Maharaja’s compassion.

The memorial monument dedicated to the Maharaja, a small brick pillar with inscriptions, was unveiled in October 2014 at the Square of the Good Maharaja in Warsaw’s Ochota district. Eight Polish schools are named in his honour, reflecting the deep respect and gratitude that Poland holds for the Maharaja.

During his visit, Modi also paid homage at the memorial plaque for the Valivade-Kolhapur camp, which was inaugurated in November 2017 near the Monte Cassino War Memorial. The Valivade village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra became home to over 5,000 Poles during the war. “This Memorial is a tribute to the great Royal Family of Kolhapur,” Modi said, adding that their actions, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, put humanity above all else and ensured dignity for Polish refugees.

Lastly, the Prime Minister paid respects at the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino, where Indian and Polish troops fought side by side during World War II. “Our shared history and enduring ties continue to inspire,” the MEA noted in its tribute.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit not only honoured the historical ties between India and Poland but also reinforced the enduring bond forged through compassion and shared history during one of humanity’s darkest periods.

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