Nagaland honored its fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day, observed on Monday, November 11, at the Kohima War Cemetery, commemorating the sacrifices made during the historic Battle of Kohima in 1944. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, addressing attendees, emphasized the importance of the day, stating, “Remembrance Day is a day to honor those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of peace, justice, and freedom.” He expressed his gratitude to the veterans, their families, and the people of Nagaland for preserving the legacy of the battle.
The Kohima War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, serves as the final resting place for 1,420 Allied soldiers and the cremation site for 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers. Rio highlighted how the Naga people have turned the memory of conflict into a message of global peace, saying, “Kohima and the Naga people will continue to play a contributory role for the good of humanity.” He also reflected on the Kohima Epitaph, which reads: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
British Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Andrew Fleming commended the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Association, in collaboration with the Nagaland government, for maintaining the cemetery. He affirmed his commitment to the ongoing friendship and cooperation with Nagaland.
