Exhibition recalls horror of Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings

An exhibition in the Capital brought back searing memories of the world’s first and only wartime use of nuclear weapons. Organised at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi, the “Remembering Hiroshima-Nagasaki” exhibition marked the 80th anniversary of the August 1945 bombings that killed more than 2,00,000 people in Japan.

On display were rare photographs, survivor testimonies, artefacts and panels tracing the events from the Manhattan Project to the aftermath of the attacks. The exhibition was inaugurated by Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India.

He said, “In August 1945, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in an instant. Even those who survived were left to endure indescribable suffering. Since then, Japan has been steadfast in its efforts to advance the cause of a world without nuclear weapons, to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”

He added, “On August 6, I visited Parliament to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the atomic bombings. This moment of silence has been observed almost every year since 1985 — for nearly 40 years. I believe India is the only country that continues this practice to this day.”

Shyam Saran, President, IIC, said the exhibition was crucial in reviving awareness about nuclear dangers, especially among the younger generation.

“Our objective was public awareness. We invited schoolchildren and educated them about nuclear disarmament and the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” he said, adding, “The younger generation needs to understand why nuclear disarmament is important.”

The exhibition featured panels chronicling the events leading up to the atomic bombings, their immediate aftermath and the decades-long struggle of the survivors — the hibakusha. Emotional testimonies, accompanied by stark images of devastated cityscapes and injured civilians, powerfully conveyed the enduring trauma of nuclear warfare.

For many attendees, the event served not just as a history lesson, but as a timely reminder in an era of rising global tensions. A Class 10 student from St Columba’s School, Ishaan Banerjee, said the exhibition helped him understand the long-term impact of the bombing and how “global rivalries still shape the world today”.

History teacher Natasha Banerjee described the exhibition as “a truly eye-opening experience”, particularly at a time when wars dominate global headlines.