Solidarity meet remembers 1,500 children from Gaza

In Gaza, no one should ask whether you have lost a relative, the real question is how many relatives you have lost, Palestine’s Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh has said.

“A dozen of my relatives have been slaughtered by Israeli genocidal warfare. I ask you to keep these names in your heart and mind. This is the only way to ensure they are never reduced to mere numbers but remembered as human beings,” said Mr. Shawesh, as he proceeded to read out the names of his relatives killed in the war between Israel and Palestine at a solidarity meeting held in Kochi on Thursday (October 2, 2025).

A video clip of him was shared at the meeting organised jointly by Chintha Ravi Foundation and Palestine Solidarity Forum, where the names of children killed in the Israeli attacks in Gaza were read out. People from various walks of life—including academicians, diplomats, activists, artists, media personalities, and actors—attended. The names of as many as 1,500 children who were killed in the war were read out.

Media person K.K. Shahina said that the ambassador had requested to read out the names of his relatives who were killed in the war at the event. According to the organisers, each venue will continue reading the names of the children from where the previous venue left off, until all names are recited and all 14 districts are covered.

Former diplomat Venu Rajamony said the children of Gaza are the children of India as well. “They are our brothers and sisters. India has always been supportive of Palestine, and this support must continue. To achieve this, we need to keep asserting pressure,” added Mr. Rajamony.

Mohan B. Menon, who was part of the UNESCO education programme in Palestine, recalled the time he taught in schools there. Mr. Menon said he wondered whether the names being read out today could belong to the relatives or siblings of the children he once taught.

Noting that the event was for peace and humanity, actor Jyothirmayi also read out the names of the children. Others who participated in reading the names included media personnel Sashi Kumar, actor-director Aashiq Abu, artists Bose Krishnamachary and Siji R. Krishnan, senior journalist M.K. Das, actors Irshad and Lali P.M., Mangad Retnakaran, singer Resmi Sateesh, K.K. Uttaman, a sanitation worker in the corporation, among others.

Students of Mahatma Gandhi University performed Dabkeh, a traditional Palestinian dance.