Far From the Western Front: South Asian stories of the First World War

SOUTH KENSINGTON, U.K. - Oct. 3, 2016 - PRLog -- Far From the Western Front: South Asian Stories of the First World War
5 – 13 November, Royal Geographical Society, London - touring London venues thereafter, including the Nehru Centre.

As Remembrance Day approaches, we aim to diversify the stories told about the First World War, in a year in which commemorations have focused on the Somme and the Battle of Jutland - both European-centric and fought largely by white men.

But how many people know that the First World War was fought in East Africa, in Iraq, and in Gaza? How many know that over 1.5 million South Asian men (from present day India, Pakistan and Nepal) served? How many know that hundreds of thousands of South Asian men went to war not as soldiers, but as construction teams, cooks, laundry-men, and stretcher bearers? And that some did not return home until years after the war had officially ended?

In a 2013 YouGov survey for British Futures, less than half of British people were aware of India's contribution in the First World War. But when told, 80% agreed that it was important for integration today that all children are taught about the shared history of a multi-ethnic Britain.

Far from the Western Front, a free exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society, presents the stories of eight men and women across the globe, using previously unseen images, digital media, and personal experiences uncovered from the archives.

Uncover a more diverse picture of the First World War and its global impact through the stories of:

• The Maharaja of Bikaner, as he charges on camel towards the enemy
• Stretcher-bearer Sisir Sarbadhikari, piecing together his diary after two years hiding the pages in his boots
• 14-year-old Satoori Devi, challenging the norm by learning to read her father's letters
• Soldier Mohammad Aslam, shielding his eyes from scavenger birds in the Middle East

The London-wide research project, Far From the Western Front, was started in response to a need for more awareness about the role played by South Asians in the First World War. For more than a year, members of Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese and British communities across London have worked together to research and curate an exhibition for all, exploring the untold stories of South Asians in the First World War.

The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is delivered by the Council of Asian People, in partnership with the Pak Cultural Society, the Gurkha Veterans Foundation, and Collage Arts.

@AsianCentreN22 (https://twitter.com/AsianCentreN22)    #AsiasWW1 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsiasWW1?src=hash)     www.southasiansoldiers.org.uk