Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Marcin Przydacz, on Saturday, unveiled a memorial pillar in memory of World War II Polish refugees who took asylum in Valivade, Kolhapur between 1942 to 1948. 

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Przydacz said while speaking at the event, “I would like to thank our Indian host for welcoming me and my delegation despite the terrible floods in recent times. Poland and India share a long-standing and strong relationship. This year, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. Kolhapur has been the temporary home for at least 5,000 Polish who have come to India as refugees about 80 years ago. It is a historic day which commemorates the fact that thousands of Polish people had lived here," he added. 

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Thank You, India

During the event, Polish ambassador Adam Burakowski also thanked India for embracing the Polish people during a hard time. "A relation was established after 5,000 people came here as refugees and lived here for 5 years. We will never break this relation with India. India provided a peaceful environment to our citizens," said Burakowski while speaking in Hindi. 

The Maharashtra government will be setting up a museum to commemorate around 5,000 Polish World War II refugees who lived in Valivade, Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra between 1942 to 1948. The museum will contain Photographs, paintings, other important items and materials of that era. The purpose of this museum is to keep the memories of the past alive for the next generations. The museum will be built in the next year. 

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Polish citizen reliving memories

The Polish citizens who spent their childhood from 1942 to 1948 in Valivade, Kolhapur are staying in Kolhapur for three days between September 13-15, 2019 to relive their childhood memories. Some of the Polish citizens arrived on Thursday and participated in the Ganesh immersion ceremony.  

Daulat Desai, District Collector, Kolhapur, earlier stated that citizens from Poland, now settled in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and various parts of West Asia regularly visit Valivade and the cemetery; as they were born in Valivade or were between 4 to 10 years of age when they left the refugee camp and after peace returned to the war-torn States.

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