ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Apeksha Niranjan honors 'Good Maharaja' at Polish Consulate in NY
Niranjan's grandmother is one of the Polish refugee children that Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja saved.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Fri, 21, Nov 2025
- 00:37 EST
- 9
Apeksha Niranjan at the event / Handout: Apeksha Niranjan
Indian Bharatanatyam Dancer Apeksha Niranjan headlined a discussion on refugee children hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, on Nov. 18.
Titled, “Creating a Safe Haven for Children Escaping War and Persecution – From the Polish Children of the Good Maharaja to the Children of Ukraine,” the discussion featured Monika Kowaleczko-Szumowska, an acclaimed author, scriptwriter, and producer from Poland, alongside Niranjan, a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and granddaughter of Polish refugee Wanda Nowicka.
The duo has been on a discussion tour and have been sharing this unique, lesser-known part of Polish–Indian history with audiences across the globe, and their arrival in New York marked a moment for cultural and historical contemplation.
ALSO READ: Indian American community honors Birsa Munda
Co-hosted by Józef Piłsudski Institute of America, along with the Polish Consulate General, the event was opened by Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York Mateusz Sakowicz. Vice-Consul Krzysztof Płaski and representatives of the Consulate General of Ukraine were also in attendance.
Kowaleczko-Szumowska recounted the deportation of Polish families to Siberian camps and the rescue of nearly 1,000 children by India’s “Good Maharaja,” highlighting the lasting legacy and emotional burden for survivors and descendants.
Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja of Nawanagar (Jamnagar), personally sheltered and cared for nearly 1,000 Polish orphan children during WWII after they escaped Soviet labor camps, establishing a refugee camp known as 'Little Poland in India'.
Known forever as the “Good Maharaja,” he told the children, “You are no longer orphans; you are Nawanagarians,” and funded their education, health, and happiness until they could return home.
Apeksha Niranjan closed the evening with a powerful Bharatanatyam performance, drawing directly from her grandmother Wanda Nowicka’s journey of exile and resilience.
Through Indian classical dance movement and vivid storytelling, she paid heartfelt tribute to the Polish children who, like Wanda, lost everything in the war yet rebuilt their lives in India, creating a moving bridge between Polish and Indian heritage that deeply touched the audience.
The event brought together members of the Polish and Indian diasporas, historians, educators, and community leaders, affirming that this shared history remains alive and that art, storytelling, and education continue to heal deep collective wounds.
Apeksha Niranjan addressing the audience / Apeksha Niranjan
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login