In a world often divided by conflict, Valivade’s story is a powerful reminder of humanity’s capacity for compassion. It’s a tale of how a small village in Maharashtra became a beacon of hope and safety for thousands of Polish people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently became the first Indian leader in 45 years to visit Poland, a country whose ties with India run deeper than most people realise.
As part of his visit this year in August, he paid homage at the Monte Cassino Memorial and the Valivade-Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw. These sites hold a special place in the hearts of those who remember the historical bond formed between India and Poland during the tumultuous days of World War II.
In a poignant gesture, PM Modi laid a wreath at the Monte Cassino Memorial, which honours the sacrifice of the Second Polish Corps who fought valiantly against Nazi forces in 1944.
But it was his tribute at the Valivade-Kolhapur Memorial that struck a particularly emotional chord, as it commemorates the thousands of Polish children who found refuge in India during the war.
Speaking about the Kolhapur Memorial, he said, “This is a tribute to the great royal family of Kolhapur who, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, placed humanity above everything else and ensured a life of dignity for the Polish women and children. This act of compassion will keep inspiring generations.”
The story dates back to World War II, when Poland was ravaged by conflict and Soviet repression. Thousands of Polish citizens, including women and children, were displaced and left stranded across Europe.
It was a moment when the world seemed to turn its back, but not India. During the chaos and destruction of World War II, this small village opened its arms to nearly 5,000 Polish refugees, giving them a safe haven far away from the horrors of war-torn Europe.
The journey of these Polish refugees was anything but easy. Deported from their homeland and forced into harsh Siberian labour camps, they faced bitter winters, starvation, and unimaginable suffering.
Many lost family members and were left with little hope. But from these depths of despair, they found an unexpected refuge in a distant land they had only heard about–India.
Kira Banasinska, the wife of the Polish Consul General in Mumbai, played a crucial role in bringing them to safety. Working tirelessly with Indian officials, Kira arranged for these displaced people to be brought to India in supply trucks, traversing thousands of kilometers.
Valivade, a small village in Maharashtra, became one of their new homes. Between 1943 and 1948, this quiet settlement turned into a vibrant community, often referred to as “Little Poland.”
For many, it was their first taste of peace and stability in years.
Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, the local villagers and Polish refugees developed a close bond.
Elderly villagers recall playing football and hockey with the Polish children, sharing meals, and celebrating each other’s festivals. “They were like family,” says an old-timer, reminiscing about those days.
For people like Lancucka Labus, who was just four when she arrived in Valivade, the village became a place of healing and happy memories.
“It is in India that I have my first childhood memories. Happy memories that I can recall,” she said during a visit to Valivade earlier this year. For her and many others, Valivade was more than just a refuge. It was home.
Despite being thousands of miles away from their homeland, the refugees created a little slice of Poland in this Indian village.
While many Polish families eventually moved on to other countries after the war, some stayed back. One such story is that of Wanda Nowicka, who fell in love with a local man, Vasant Kashikar.
They got married, and she changed her name to Malti. The couple had five children together, and Wanda, or Malti, made Valivade her permanent home. “We are still in touch with our Polish relatives. Often they come here, or we visit Warsaw. Valivade will always be special for us,” says Umesh Kashikar, her son.
Today, little remains of that vibrant Polish community in Valivade. After the refugees left in 1948, their homes were occupied by Sindhi families who had fled Pakistan after Partition. But the memories of those five years are still alive in the hearts of those who experienced it.
Efforts are being made to build a memorial in the village to honour this unique chapter of shared history between Poland and India.
This remarkable piece of history was also brought to life through a heartfelt play performed by the local residents in July 2024. The play depicted this forgotten story, showcasing the compassion of Kolhapur’s people and the resilience of the Polish refugees who found a second home here.
The bonds forged in Valivade were not forgotten. Over the years, the Polish community has made efforts to keep the memory of this unique chapter alive.
Reunions and pilgrimages have been organised, and memorials have been erected both in India and Poland. The cemetery in Kolhapur, restored in 2014, stands as a solemn reminder of those who passed away while in India.
An obelisk in Mahavir Garden Park in Kolhapur, dedicated by the Association of Poles in India, also commemorates this shared history.
Today, Valivade-Kolhapur and the memorials in Warsaw stand as symbols of a deep-rooted friendship between India and Poland. It is a relationship born out of adversity but nurtured by compassion and respect.
The story of Valivade is not just a historical footnote, but a powerful narrative of international solidarity, one that resonates even today as both nations continue to build on the legacy of those who, during one of the world’s darkest chapters, found hope and friendship in a small village in India.
The lead image on top depicts the cast of a play that recreated scenes in Valivade, Kolhapur, from a time when Poland and India had strong ties during World War II. (Photo by Akansha Deshmukh)
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist who operates mainly in central India.
