Visitors learn about plan for Mill Road memorial fountain
A special event on Mill Road on Friday, 21 March, was designed to explain more about plans for a memorial fountain for the fallen heroes of the United Indian Army of the First and Second World Wars.
A tribute to the 1.5 million soldiers in WWI and 2.5 million soldiers in WWII, who formed the largest all-volunteer force in history, the fountain will be located near the Cambridge Gateway from India in Ditchburn Place.
It will commemorate the nations that comprised the British Indian Army, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, South-East Asian nations, and Commonwealth nations.
The concept for the fountain followed discussions between Piero D’Angelico, the ambassador of Mill Road Traders, and the mayor, Cllr Baiju Thittala.
Piero said: “It was an initiation of the project, to let people know what’s going on and why. Four million Indian soldiers from the First and Second World Wars gave their lives and they’ve never seen a proper acknowledgement.
“There are some Commonwealth memorials, but not specifically for the Indian Army.”
Piero felt Ditchburn Place was the ideal location as not only does it have the Gateway from India, but there was also a military hospital there during the First World War.
“It has a meaning, it has a bit of history there,” he said.
Those behind the memorial say it will serve as a symbol of sustainability and a tribute to the sacrifices made by the soldiers.
Also in attendance were the mayor, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner and a representative of the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence.
On Monday (24 March), a community multicultural Iftar was held at the Guildhall.
The event was designed, the organisers say, to “bring together people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and faiths in the spirit of unity and understanding during the holy month of Ramadan”.
It was supported by the mayor, Cambridge Mosque Council, and Islamic Relief, alongside other local organisations such as Anglia Ruskin University, Citizens Cambridge, Mill Road Traders, the Ethnic Forum, Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue, The Karim Foundation, Knights of St George the Martyr, Cambridge Pakistan Cultural Association, and the Bangladesh Cultural and Welfare Association of Cambridge, among others.
The event included speeches from community leaders, interfaith dialogue, and opportunities to network with local and national leaders from a variety of sectors.
