Remembrance Day honours the brave men and women who served, and continue to serve their country during times of conflict and peace; and members of the Armed Forces who have participated to give us, and others, freedom.

It is not only about the impact of warfare from the annals of sepia-toned history; it’s an important reminder to reflect on how we now – today – treat those who have made enormous sacrifices on our behalf. 

I had the opportunity to attend the 102nd Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by the Embassy of India, Tokyo at the Commonwealth War Cemetery Hodogaya, Yokohama. 

Ambassadors and Defence Attaches representing Commonwealth and Non-Commonwealth countries, diplomats, Japanese officials, schools and other organizations participated in the solemn ceremony to remember the sacrifice made by military personnel who died in various conflicts. Ambassador of India

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma in his opening address underlined the need for the civilian and military leaderships to work in unison for a terrorism-free, harmonious and peaceful world, thereby obviating the need for making ultimate sacrifice by men and women in uniform. After placing wreaths on the memorial of all fallen soldiers, Ambassador and Defence Attache Capt. B Nambiar laid wreaths on the memorial of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the two World Wars.

As we stand here in peace and safety, we pay our respects to the fallen, and all who served in conflicts over the last hundreds of years. Today, as we should every day, we must remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died, for our freedom and peace. 

And we must remember what Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the Former President of UN Assembly once said, "The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war."

Madhu Khanna, 

Principal, GIIS Tokyo