Karnataka - Bangalore

They died so that we could live

Bangalore: The crisp November air on Sunday morning brought with it a sense of nostalgia and reverence with a service organised at St. Marks Cathedral, which marked the celebration of Remembrance Day. On this day, people gather to pay homage to all those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. Each year, this day, also known as Armistice Day, falls on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and the St. Marks Cathedral conducts a special service on the day if it is a Sunday, or else the second Sunday of the month.

Way back in 1918, a peace treaty was signed and the guns fell silent. This was created by King George V who dedicated the day to the members of the armed forces who were killed during war. This practice has continued worldwide, every year thereafter, adding the casualties of World War II and every conflict that has taken place ever since.

The members of the congregation, along with serving as well as retired members from the armed forces, in their ceremonial attire, wearing their medals, together took part in this symbolic event reminding the country of the past struggles and momentous lives of the millions who died to make today possible. Among the dignitaries present were Commander Sub-Area (Karnataka and Goa), Brig. P.S. Ravindranath, Lt. Gen. V.J Sundaram, Vice-Admiral P.J. Jacob (retd.), Air Marshal M. McMahon and Colonel ODP Ratnam (retd.). They all participated in the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.

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