New Delhi, August 21
The erstwhile Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, on Wednesday shared his joy on learning that Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with his extended family in Poland and paid homage at Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw.
The erstwhile Maharaja praised PM's thoughtful gesture that embodies the spirit and humanity that mirror the "Good Maharaja", Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage at Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw, Poland today. The statue of Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the erstwhile Maharaja of Nawanagar, was built in recognition of his decision to provide hundreds of Polish children refuge during World War II.
In a written message, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, the erstwhile Maharaja Jamsaheb of Nawanagar discussed the deep reverence of the unimaginable trials and enduring hardships that were endured by the Polish people.
The erstwhile Maharaja also requested the Prime Minister to consider setting up a youth, student and cultural exchange between the two countries to build on the legacy and further strengthen the historical connection between the people of India and Poland.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister went to the memorial soon after he arrived in Poland, on a two-day visit.
Prime Minister was earlier greeted by members of the Indian diaspora in Poland.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in the past 45 years.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi will pay tribute at Good Maharaja Square, Monte Cassino Memorial and at Memorial to Kolhapur Family.
He will be the first prime minister to pay his respects at all these three memorials.
"He will shortly be visiting three memorials, paying tribute at Good Maharaja Square, Monte Cassino Memorial and at Memorial to Kolhapur Family. The history behind these memorials connects Poland and India in a very special way, the people of India and Poland in a very special way," he added.
During the Second World War, Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar - now in Gujarat - not only saved the lives of several Jewish children by bringing them to India from Poland but also took care of them as a guardian. The Maharaja of Nawanagar opened his summer palace to displaced children.