From India to Modigliana. Homage to the Soldier Who Died in War

In recent days, the council chamber of Modigliana welcomed Major Avinash Chhetri of the 9th Gurkha Rifles, personal secretary of the President of India Droupadi Murmu, who came to pay homage to the soldier Thaman Gurung who distinguished himself for his heroism during the Second World War , for his courage on Mount San Bartolo, near Modigliana, where he met his death in battle.

Also present was Daniele Cesaretti, the regiment's representative for Italy. While representing the Municipality there were the mayor Jader Dardi, city councilors and representatives of local associations. Major Chhetri is a soldier and for six years the closest collaborator of the President of India and here he represented a country of 1.4 billion people. "He came - commented Cesaretti - to convey the diplomatic message linked to the memory of the soldier: he will promote Modigliana in India, Nepal and in the countries of the Commonwealth". The Gurung soldier was in fact a member of the Gurkha, an armed body of Nepalese. The Commonwealth is instead composed of former British colonies, including India.

Major Chhetri remembered Private Gurung, "who received the Victoria Cross posthumously, the highest military honor". There were 50,000 Indian soldiers engaged in the Liberation Army and 6,000 of them lost their lives in combat. Mayor Dardi recalled that last April 13, in the context of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, the memorial stone was unveiled in memory of the hero, in the presence of the vice-ambassador of India in Italy, Amararam Gurjar, and the prefect of Forlì-Cesena Rinaldo Argentieri.

"This visit honors us - concluded Dardi - and we hope that the collaborative relationship between our countries can continue, especially at this time, given that in the world there is talk of wars and weapons while for us peace and friendship between peoples are more important than anything else". The exchange of gifts consisted of a bronze bust of Thaman Gurung with a plaque donated by the major to the mayor, reciprocated with the ceramic coat of arms of the Municipality. Subsequently, the small delegation visited the memorial that commemorates Gurung's sacrifice.

Giancarlo Aulizio