Puducherry: The Consulate General of France in Puducherry and Chennai observed the 108th anniversary of Armistice Day on Wednesday, marking the end of the First World War in 1918. The consulate organised commemorative ceremonies across Puducherry and Karaikal to honour the millions of people who lost their lives and to pay tribute to those who served during the global conflict, said a release from the French consulate.Deputy consul general of France Jean-Philippe Huther led the observation at the French War Memorial on Goubert Avenue (Beach Road) in Puducherry in the presence of Puducherry district collector A Kulothungan, French defence attaché (senior military officer) colonel Emmanuel Peltriaux, French community representatives, war veterans, and students from the Lycée Français International de Pondichéry, an international French school in Puducherry .In Karaikal, Consul general of France Étienne Rolland-Piegue led the service at the Karaikal French War Memorial in the presence of Karaikal sub collector M Pooja, deputy collector G Senthilnadan, Consular council president Patricia Ambrose and representatives of the veterans’ associations and French community members. It was followed by a memorial service at Notre-Dame Church.“It is a solemn occasion to remember the sacrifices made for peace, reflect on the devastating consequences of war, and reaffirm commitment to dialogue, solidarity and lasting peace among nations,” said the release.Entry to the War Memorial in Puducherry was restricted to French nationals with valid French identity documents (consular card, passport, or CNI) and their spouses. The memorial remained open to the public until 10.30am, allowing families to lay wreaths.
