7th ANZAC Jawan Remembrance Day service at Cherrybrook: Remembering the sacrifices of Anzacs of Indian origin during WWI

The Australia India Cenotaph Committee, in partnership with the Hornsby RSL Subbranch, held the 7th ANZAC Jawan Remembrance Day service at Cherrybrook on November 10, 2024, to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of Anzacs of Indian origin during WWI. The ANZAC Jawan Cenotaph, a New South Wales War Memorial, was inaugurated in 2018 to commemorate the Armistice Centenary and honor the service of Indian-origin Anzacs.

The service began with a land acknowledgment by Mr. Anand Manickam, Vice President of the Hindu Council of NSW, followed by the flag-lowering ceremony conducted by CTHS school captains. Mr. Sanjeev Gayal, National Vice President of the Hindu Council of Australia, welcomed the attendees, and Mr. John Zeller, President of the Hornsby RSL Subbranch, delivered the opening commemoration. Indian Army Veteran Col. Virender Sahni spoke on Remembrance Day.

Notable VIP speakers included Dr. Janakiraman, Consul General of India in Sydney; Mr. Warren Girby, representing NSW Premier Hon. Chris Minns, Mr. James Wallace, MP for Hornsby, Hon. Warren Waddell, Mayor of Hornsby Shire; and Principal Speaker Mr. Julian Leeser, MP for Berowra. Representatives from local councils, including Clr. Reena Jethi (Hills Shire Council), Clr. Sameer Pandey (Parramatta City Council), and Clr. Barbara Ward (Ku-ring-gai Council), were also present. The service saw participation from Australian Army Cadets, the Hindu Council of NSW, and various community organizations, all laying wreaths to honor the fallen.

Religious prayers were offered by Mr. Jagdish Trivedi and Ms. Harminder Kaur, while students from the IABBV Hindi School sang hymns and national anthems. The ceremony included a one-minute silence, followed by the Last Post and the Rouse. The CTHS students raised the flags to full mast, and Mr. Nitesh Sethi, AICC Member, delivered the vote of thanks.

The event was supported by local volunteers, schools, and the 202 Australian Army Cadets.

The ceremony concluded with refreshments for all guests.