The Remembrance Day ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Kohima War Cemetery to honour the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the Second World War. The solemn event was graced by Special Guest and Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Honoured Guest and Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, Bharat Dave, and Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla.

In his address, Dr. Neiphiu Rio said that the 2024 ceremony marked the first official commemoration of Remembrance Day by the State Government and reaffirmed Nagaland’s commitment to observe it as an annual State event in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

“Today, Nagaland stands shoulder to shoulder with the global community, honouring the brave men and women who laid down their lives so that peace and freedom may prevail,” Rio stated.

He described the Kohima War Cemetery as one of the most sacred sites of the Second World War, where 1,420 Allied soldiers rest, while many others were cremated nearby. “This cemetery is not only a burial ground—it is a living testament to the extraordinary courage of those who fought here,” he said.

Recalling that people of this land witnessed the fierce Battle of Kohima (April–June 1944) during the World War II, the Chief Minister described it as a defining moment in world history. “Allied, Indian, and Naga forces fought side by side—outnumbered, outgunned, yet unbroken. Their stand halted the eastward advance and altered the course of the war,” he stated.

Rio also narrated a poignant anecdote from the battle — during the siege of the Deputy Commissioner’s Bungalow, soldiers carved messages on ration tins assuring one another: ‘Hold on. Reinforcements will come.’

“That tiny gesture of faith captures the spirit of Kohima—a promise that no matter how dark the hour, courage will prevail,” he remarked, adding, “Such stories remind us that history is not only shaped by grand strategy but also by the quiet determination of ordinary men who became extraordinary heroes.”

“As we observe the two-minute silence today, let us remember all who fell – those who lie in these graves, those who were cremated, and the countless others whose names are lost to time but not to memory. We pay homage not only to the Allied soldiers but also to the Naga people – men, women, and even children – who guided, sheltered, and stood beside the troops amid unimaginable hardship. “ he added.

Rio mentioned that their loyalty and courage were pivotal to the outcome of the battle/and their contributions remain one of the proudest chapters in the history. “These hills remember their footsteps. Our people remember their stories,” he said.

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Quoting the Kohima Epitaph, he reflected: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” Rio emphasised that these words are not merely inscribed on stone but “speak to our conscience,” reminding us that the peace we enjoy was purchased at the highest price.

“In Nagaland, Remembrance Day holds a unique meaning. The stories of 1944 are intertwined with our identity,” he said, adding that the Naga people have learned that the truest tribute to those who died in war is to uphold peace in our time. “We are called to transform memories of conflict into a message of reconciliation for the world. Nagaland’s story—once shaped by battle—must now be a voice for peace, unity, and universal brotherhood,” he said.
He expressed deep respect to all veterans, their families, and the people of Nagaland “who have preserved this hallowed ground with dignity and devotion.”

Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, Bhaarat Dave  paid tribute to the “brave souls—British, Indian, and Allied soldiers from across the Commonwealth—who laid down their lives in the Second World War.”

He said, “Their sacrifice turned the tide of the war in the East and safeguarded the freedoms we cherish today.”

He described the Battle of Kohima as a turning point in the war, where British and Indian forces halted the Japanese advance into India, “fought in the rugged hills of Nagaland and remembered for its brutal close-quarters combat, including the infamous fighting around the Kohima tennis court, which became symbol of resistance.”

Often called the “Stalingrad of the East,” he said, the battle marked the beginning of the Japanese retreat from Southeast Asia. “The courage and resilience displayed here earned it the title ‘the battle of battles,’ military historians, highlighting its strategic importance and the extraordinary human endurance it demanded,” he said.

Marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, Dave said, “We are paying tribute to British and Commonwealth veterans worldwide, the living Second World War generation, and the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace.”

Quoting the Kohima Epitaph:  ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today’, he said, “These words are not just a tribute—they are a call to remember, to reflect, and to uphold peace.” He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to peace and the enduring partnership between the United Kingdom and India.

He thanked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Government of Nagaland for maintaining the cemetery, year after year. “We will remember them. Always,” he concluded.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said during World War II, battles were fought at the Kohima War Cemetery site to protect the nation and many brave soldiers made ultimate sacrifice.

“That is why, whenever we visit this site and commemorate this day, we remember those valiant martyrs and soldiers who laid down their lives for the country,” he said..

He also termed the Second World War as history and defining event stating that the bravery with which the soldiers fought at that time continues to inspire all of us even today, recalling the immortal words:

‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.’

He also thanked Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio whose father too had taken part in the Second World War, adding Dr Rio always upheld the morale of soldiers and ex-servicemen in this far-flung Northeastern region.

The programme, chaired by Abhijit Sinha, IAS, Home Commissioner & Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland, began with wreath-laying by dignitaries, followed by the Last Post, two-minute silence, and ‘Flowers of the Forest’ by pipers.

Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, led the prayer and reading of the Word.

Musical presentations included performances by the Cantabile Choir (“So hi mo zo”), Sunshine Orchestra (“The Entertainer”), and Vila Keditsu & Tajenyuba (“Bridge over Troubled Water”).

The LFS Children Pipe Band presented a band display, and Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister, delivered the closing remarks. The ceremony concluded with the Assam Rifles Pipe Band presenting Buglers Dismiss.