PM Modi will visit the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw during his Poland visit. The memorial was built by the Polish government to honour Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji of Gujarat who gave shelter to around 5,000 Poles during World War II.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay respects to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw on Wednesday during his two-day visit to Poland. He will also visit the Monte Cassino Memorial and the Memorial to Kolhapur Family.

The landmark visit, first by an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years, comes at the invitation of his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk.

The Indian Ambassador to Poland, Nagma Mohamed Mallick, confirmed the significance of this visit, and stated, as quoted by ANI, “He will be the first Prime Minister to pay respects at all three memorials.” She also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi will address the Indian community in Poland during his visit, which is anticipated to be a “rousing meeting.”

What Do We Know About Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial?

The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial honors Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the former Maharaja of Nawanagar (modern-day Jamnagar) in Gujarat. Revered as the ‘Good Maharaja,’ he is remembered for his extraordinary humanitarian efforts during World War II.

During the war, he provided refuge to hundreds of Polish children fleeing the atrocities of the USSR. The memorial, located in Poland, stands as a testament to his legacy of compassion and generosity.

Who Was Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji?

Jam Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja was born in Saroda in 1895, and pursued his education at Rajkumar College, Malvern College, and University College London. His early career was marked by military service.

In 1919, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army, eventually serving with the 125th Napier’s Rifles (later the Rajputana Rifles). Over his two-decade military career, he rose through the ranks, ultimately achieving the honorary rank of lieutenant-general in the Indian Army.

Upon the death of his uncle, the legendary cricketer KS Ranjitsinhji, Digvijaysinhji succeeded him as Maharaja of Nawanagar in 1933. He ruled until 1948 and was also the longest-serving President of the Governing Council of the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, holding the position from 1939 until his death in 1966. His contributions to society were recognised when he was knighted in 1935.

Why was His Memorial Built in Warsaw?

Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji’s most enduring legacy lies in his role in the World War II when he provided shelter to more than 1,000 Polish children who had been evacuated from the Soviet Union in 1941.

These children, many of whom were orphans and refugees, found a safe haven under the care of the ‘Good Maharaja,’ who ensured they received food, shelter, education, and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

In 1942, he established a dedicated Polish children’s camp in Jamnagar-Balachadi, which included facilities such as a kindergarten, schools, a hospital, and a library. The Maharaja personally oversaw the camp’s operations, ensuring the children were provided with not only basic needs but also opportunities for artistic and cultural development. His efforts were instrumental in helping 5,000 Polish children survive the war years in India.

In 2011, he was posthumously awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit by President Bronisław Komorowski, acknowledging his significant contribution.

The Polish parliament established the ‘Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial’ in March 2016. Additionally, a school in Warsaw bears his name, honoring his contributions.

The Polish children’s camp in Jamnagar-Balachadi continued to operate until 1945, after which the children were relocated to Valivade, near Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Today, the site of the former camp is part of the 300-acre campus of the Sainik School in Balachadi.

How Valivade-Kolhapur Became Symbol of India-Poland Bond

Valivade is a village in Maharashtra where around Polish refugees took refuge from the Soviet repression during the World War II. These refugees included women, children, and the elderly who had endured tremendous hardship.

By 1943, Valivade was chosen for its favourable climate, located about 500 km south of Mumbai. This site was intended to provide a better living environment to Polish refugees compared to the harsher conditions in other regions.

Valivade was developed into a fully functional Polish settlement, equipped with various amenities including a church, community centre, multiple schools, a college, a post office, a theater, and even a cinema. The infrastructure aimed to replicate a typical Polish town, fostering a sense of community and normalcy for the refugees.

Polish children participated in scouting and physical activities, while religious and national holidays were observed with great enthusiasm.

After the Polish refugees left between 1946 and 1948, Valivade’s significance was preserved through memorials. A cemetery in Kolhapur, restored in 2014, honors the Polish individuals who died while in India. Additionally, an obelisk in Mahavir Garden Park, dedicated by the Association of Poles in India, stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between Poles and Indians.

The Association of Poles in India 1942-1948 was established in 1990, and has been instrumental in preserving the history and fostering connections between former refugees and their Indian hosts.

The Kolhapur Memorial is situated next to the Monte Cassino Memorial in Warsaw.

PM Modi’s Poland Schedule

His two-day visit to Poland from August 21 includes the following schedule:

9:30 am (IST): Departure from India for Warsaw

5:30 pm: Arrival at Warsaw Military Airport

7:55 pm – 8:20 pm: Wreath laying at Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial

8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Wreath laying at Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino and Kolhapur Memorial

11:20 pm – 11:55 pm: Community event at Hotel Sheraton

After his Poland visit, PM Modi will depart for Ukraine on August 22 and arrive in Kyiv on August 23. During his brief visit, he will spend around seven hours in Ukraine and hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He will then return to Poland.

source/content: news18.com (headline edited)