Polish Delegation Reviews WWII Polish Refugees Museum Progress In Kolhapur
Polish delegation visited the proposed Museum of Humanity and Peace, commemorating 5,000 Polish refugees found shelter in Valivade, Kolhapur, between 1942 and 1948.
Pune: A high-level parliamentary delegation from Poland visited Maharashtra's Kolhapur district on Saturday to review the proposed Valivade Museum of Humanity, which will commemorate the sanctuary provided to thousands of Polish refugees during World War II. Hosted by former Rajya Sabha member Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, eminent historian and advisor to the Polish parliament (Sejm) Dr Malgorzata Bonikowska offered floral tributes at the Polish Memorial Pillar, and advanced discussions on student exchanges and joint research programmes during meetings at Shivaji University.
Taking to X, Sambhajiraje, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, said that a key objective of Dr Bonikowska's visit was to review the progress of the proposed Valivade Museum of Humanity and Peace, commemorating the remarkable humanitarian chapter when nearly 5,000 Polish refugees found shelter in Valivade, Kolhapur, between 1942 and 1948.
The museum seeks to preserve this shared legacy for future generations while promoting peace, compassion, and international friendship, he said.
Dr Bonikowska, who is also the director of the Centre for International Relations (CSM), visited the Polish cemetery and the memorial pillar, where she offered floral tributes in memory of refugees and honoured the survivors and their descendants whose stories continue to inspire generations in both nations.
Polish delegation reviews the progress of proposed Valivade Museum of Humanity and Peace
The visit concluded at Shivaji University, where Dr Bonikowska met with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr R K Kamat, along with heads of departments, faculty members and students.
The university presented an overview of its academic, research, and international collaboration initiatives, while discussing opportunities for partnerships with leading Polish universities through student and faculty exchanges, joint research programmes, and institutional collaborations.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also met the delegation, comprising MP Kinga Gajewska, Chairperson of the Poland-India Parliamentary Group, Tomasz Wielgomas, Consul General of the Republic of Poland, and Malgorzata Wejsis-Golebiak, minister plenipotentiary and director of the Polish Institute.
During a meeting in Mumbai later in the day, the delegation apprised the chief minister about the museum project and expressed gratitude to the state government for its continued support in preserving this unique humanitarian legacy.
"We also held meaningful discussions on expanding India-Poland bilateral cooperation across trade, education, healthcare, and strategic sectors including aviation, defence, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and innovation," Sambhajiraje said in his post.