Indians marked the 78th Victory Day by holding a 78-meter-long St. George’s ribbon at the Russian Culture Center in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.
Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation and Director of the Russian House in Trivandrum Ratheesh Nair told Sputnik in an exclusive interview that around 78 people would form a human chain and hold the ribbon on Roerich Street this 9 May.
These included the members of the Russian House, Indo-Russia youth club, Indo-Russian History Council, and some international students.
“We celebrated the 77th anniversary of the victory [in WWII] last year and displayed a 50-meter-long St. George ribbon. This year, we thought of displaying a 78-metre-long St. George ribbon and have also organised a series of events,” Nair told Sputnik.
Several countries mark Victory Day with parades, ceremonies, and speeches.
For India too, this day holds great importance and through several seminars and conferences, people across the world are reminded of the defeat over Nazi Germany and the role of the Soviet Red Army in the Second World War (1939-45).
“We are going to have a series of events comprised of an exhibition of photographs as well as a replica of the materials used during the Second World War by the army. There will be a special movie screening and seminar with the participation of international students in Trivandrum, we have some students from Africa, Latin America, and of course, Asian countries. They will be talking about the significance of the Soviet victory in the Second World War in the history of their countries,” Nair told Sputnik.
Several Russian nationals staying in southern Kerala state are also organizing a seminar titled ‘My Family For My Country in World War II’.
“Our children should know the real history and not the history rewritten. So, we should know the significance of Soviet victory in the Second World War in the history in our own history, and how it influenced our freedom fighters, and how it catalyzed the process of proclaiming India's independence,” Nair said.
“[The] Second World War ended in Europe when the Soviet Army captured Berlin. So, with the victory of the Soviet Union, World War II ended in Europe. Those who are trying to rewrite history should know that they are leading a peaceful life in Europe at the cost of almost 2.8 million lives of Soviet people, especially Russians,” he added.
Talking about the general attitude of Indian people towards Victory Day, Nair said that people respond with great enthusiasm by coming for movie screenings, taking part in competitions, and more.