Lok Sabha pays tribute to 1945 atomic bombings victims in Japan

New Delhi, Aug 5  The Lok Sabha on Friday paid homage to the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in Japan in 1945.

"India has always toed the path of peace and non-violence," Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said in a statement as soon as the house assembled to begin the day's proceedings.

She recalled the bombings that took place 71 years ago on August 6 and 9 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities of Japan, and paid tributes to the people who were killed, maimed and injured.

"Even after seven decades, people in these two cities continue to live under the trauma and there is adverse impact on the environment," she said, adding that everyone should work for a peaceful world.

A delegation from the Japanese embassy was present in the visitors' gallery when the reference to the bombings was made.

The Lok Sabha members and Mahajan stood in silence for a brief while in memory of the victims.

In the statement read out by the Speaker, the house also wished success to the Indian contingent participating in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

"Indian contingent is by far the largest in the Olympics this year. This house conveys good wishes to the participants on behalf of entire country," the Speaker said.