As Indian students in Ukraine fled to Poland, the country had promised support. It reminds us of the time Jamsaheb Digianjaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, a former ruler of Prince Nawarar country, gave protection to hundreds of Poland’s children during World War II
Russian attacks in Ukraine have forced thousands of Indians in a war-hit by a war to escape. Many have crossed the border to neighboring countries to West Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Moldova.
Follow all LIVE updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict here
The border post between Ukraine and Poland remains the busiest and India also flocked to this checkpoint in a larger amount.
On Tuesday, around 2,000 Indian citizens, most students, entered Poland, according to Express India. Not only did they take without a visa, but Polish Ambassador Adam Burakowski also assured that there would be special flights of students to fly back to India and the country would help in the evacuation process.
Little Poland in a little part of India
The month before the outbreak of World War II, the Kindransport project which is now celebrated – the mission for the ferry orphans and loss from Germany and occupies Europe to a safe place. It helped 10,000 children escape from Brutal Adolf Hitler.
About 500 Poland children, between two and 17 years old, from Poland who were torn war and prison camps in the Soviet Union were placed on a boat heading to the west coast of India. The trip was long and difficult, stretching in Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan at this time before reaching West India.
Children were rejected in many ports before they arrived at Nawanagar. Now, they are exhausted and hunger but find a good soul in Digvijaysinhji. It was not an easy time in India, because the country fought for independence.
But Maharaja puts everything behind him and brought children, took care of him like them. “Don’t think you are orphaned
Digvijaysinhji built a camp for refugees children in a place called Balachadi not too far from his summer palace, 23 km from Jamnagar. He gave them medical, accommodation and school assistance. He opened another camp for them in Chela. Maharaja binds the rulers of Patiala and Baroda and also reach the Tata Group to raise funds for children. Lakh Rupee was collected to ensure that the needs of Poland children were fulfilled.
“Our Father politically adopted them,” Daughter King Harshad Kumari, said to Outlook magazine.
Digvijaysinhji is familiar with Polish culture. As long as he lives with an uncle in Switzerland in the 1920s, he interacts with Poland’s neighbors.
It is said that this kind of gesture drives other places in India to welcome Polish refugees. Between 1942 and 1948, more than 20,000 refugees remained and traveled through India.
After the war ended, the refugees were asked to return. Some returned to Poland; Many others choose English, Australia, and other commonwealth. Digvijaysinhji bidding them private separation at the train station.