 "Modi to honour fallen comrades at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Kremlin: What is it?")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his two-day official visit to Russia for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit. This visit which began on Monday (July 8) will be an opportunity for Modi to strengthen the long-standing ties between India and Russia.
During his visit, Modi aims to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi stated, “I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role in a peaceful and stable region.”
Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. pic.twitter.com/oUE1aC00EN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
The strategic partnership between India and Russia has seen significant enhancement over the past decade, particularly in areas such as energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
All about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden in Moscow, is a war memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who perished during World War II. This monument was designed by architects D. I. Burdin, V. A. Klimov, Yu. R. Rabayev, and sculptor Nikolai Tomsky, and was unveiled on May 8, 1967.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe memorial is marked by a dark red porphyry monument adorned with a bronze sculpture of a laurel branch and a soldier’s helmet placed upon a banner.
In front of the monument lies a five-pointed star in a square field of labradorite, which emanates the Eternal Flame from its centre.
This flame, transported from the Eternal Flame at the Monument to the Fighters of the Revolution in Saint Petersburg, illuminates a bronze inscription that reads, “Имя твоё неизвестно, подвиг твой бессмертен” (transliteration: Imya tvoyo neizvestno, podvig tvoy bessmerten, meaning “Your name is unknown, your deed is immortal”).
Restoration and national recognition
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has undergone several restorations. By the 30th anniversary of Victory Day, the monument was fully restored with additional elements, including a laurel branch and a helmet by Tomsky.
On November 17, 2009, then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev decreed the monument as a Nationwide Memorial of Military Glory. This was followed by a large-scale reconstruction to preserve its original appearance and the installation of a new stele with the names of cities of military glory.
On February 23, 2010, the Eternal Flame was returned to the Alexander Garden in a ceremony attended by Medvedev. The reconstruction was completed by Victory Day that year, and on May 8, the National Memorial of Military Glory was inaugurated by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Russia celebrates the Day of the Unknown Soldier annually since December 3, 2014.
How did the Tombs of Unknown Soldiers come about?
The tradition of Tombs of the Unknown Soldier began in France and Britain in 1920 and spread globally after World War II. Today, more than 50 countries have such memorials, which have become national shrines symbolising the collective grief and pride of nations.
These tombs honour the unidentified soldiers who gave their lives, ensuring their deeds are remembered even if their names are not.
These memorials serve both national and individual mourning purposes. They provide a place for bereaved families to honour their loved ones and for nations to pay tribute to their heroes. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Russia is meant to stand as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II.
Although more people were killed in the Great War than in any previous conflict, there was a consensus among both victorious and defeated nations that every fallen soldier deserved a proper burial and recognition.
The problem of identifying remains was prevalent, as many bodies were destroyed beyond recognition. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier concept provided a solution by creating a national symbol for the unidentified fallen, allowing families to mourn as if the unknown soldier were their own loved one.
The central monuments of Unknown Soldiers and their local representations became places of national demonstrations and private mourning. According to the Warwick Knowledge Centre, in the UK, on November 11, 1920, hundreds of thousands went on a pilgrimage to see the Cenotaph and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
This tradition was mirrored in France, and later in Italy, Poland, and other countries.
Also Read: Modi, Putin's first bilateral meeting in nearly 3 years is all about the timing. Here's why
The proliferation of these memorials after 1945 made them a global phenomenon. Today, they are seen as sacred sites where nations collectively honour their military dead.
With inputs from agencies
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