The India-Poland relationship is underpinned by shared history and deep-rooted ties
Commencing his visit to Poland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid wreaths and paid tribute at The Dobry Maharaja Memorial and The Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw on Wednesday (August 21, 2024), turning the spotlight on the unique bonds between the two countries dating back to the 1940s. 
 
During World War II, more than 6,000 Polish women and children found refuge in the two Indian princely states of Jamnagar and Kolhapur.
 
Prime Minister Modi's visits to these memorials highlight a special historical connection that exists between India and Poland, and one that continues to be nurtured and nourished, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed out.
 
Prime Minister Modi also laid a wreath and paid tribute at the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino in Warsaw.
 
The Square of the Good Maharaja

 The Dobry Maharaja Memorial, located at the Square of the Good Maharaja, Warsaw, is a mark of the deep respect and gratitude that the people and government of Poland have for the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja. The princely state of Nawanagar is the modern-day Jamnagar in India's Gujarat. 'Dobry' means 'good' in the Polish language. 
 
The Jamsaheb provided shelter to over a thousand Polish children during World War II; he is fittingly remembered today as the Dobry (Good) Maharaja in Poland. The profound impact of his generosity lives on among the Polish people, the MEA highlighted. 
 
While visiting the memorial, Prime Minister Modi met with the descendants of Polish people who were given shelter by the Jamsaheb.
 
The Kolhapur Memorial

 The Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw is dedicated to the generosity of the princely state of Kolhapur offered to the Polish people during the second World War. The camp established at Valivade, Kolhapur (in Maharashtra, India) provided shelter to Polish people during the war. This settlement housed nearly 5,000 Polish refugees, including women and children. 
 
At the memorial, Prime Minister Modi met with the Polish people who had lived in the Kolhapur camp and their descendants.
 
Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino 

 Prime Minister Modi also laid a wreath and paid tribute at the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino in Warsaw.
 
This monument commemorates the sacrifice and valour of soldiers from Poland, India and other countries who fought alongside each other in the famous Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy during the second World War. Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Monument underscores the shared history and deep-rooted ties between India and Poland that continue to inspire many, the MEA stated.
 
Later, addressing the Indian Diaspora in Poland, Prime Minister Modi noted that the Dobry Maharaja, Kolhapur and Battle of Monte Cassino memorials were shining examples of vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries. To further strengthen this special bond, the Prime Minister announced a new initiative called Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Program under which 20 Polish youth would be invited to India each year. He also recalled the help provided by Poland during the earthquake in Gujarat.
 
Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Poland, is the first Indian PM to visit the central European nation in 45 years. He is scheduled to visit Ukraine on Friday (August 23, 2024).