Centenary of the end of World War I, Remembrance Day, Kolkata

Centenary of the end of World War I

Remembrance Day, Kolkata

I’m privileged to be here in Kolkata and had the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war. We recognise India’s remarkable contribution to the war efforts….

Bruce Bucknell. British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata

100th Remembrance Sunday at Kolkata. L: Bhowanipore Cemetery, C: Glorious Dead Cenotaph, Maidan and R: St. John’s Church

It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2018 the buglers sounded the Last Post followed by a two minutes silence, which was broken by the sounding of The Rouse.

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Paresh Lal Roy, Father of Indian Boxing

Paresh Lal Roy

The Father of Indian Boxing

Marble Bust of P L Roy

As one walks down the central pathway of the Bhabanipur (Bhowanipore) Cemetery in Alipur a grave marked with a pair of bright red boxing gloves is bound to attracts ones attention. It is the Grave of Paresh Lal Roy, popularly known as P L Roy, the “Father of Indian Boxing.”

P L Roy was an armature boxer and credited for popularizing the sport of Boxing among Indian youths.

Paresh Lal Roy was the third of the six children of Peary Lal Roy and Lolita Roy. Paresh Lal Roy was born in India in 1893 but his family shifted to London in 1901.

He was educated in England, where he picked up the sport of boxing. His younger brother Indra Lal Roy, popularly known as I L Roy, joined the Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot and died fighting for the British during World War I (WWI).

He picked up boxing at St. Paul’s School in London and was coached by Billy Childs. He went on to do a MA from Cambridge University and won the inter University Championship. P L Roy had the distinction of being the first Cambridge Blue from Asia.